NEW YORK – Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul birdied five of the last seven holes in a bogey-free seven-under par 65 on Friday (Saturday in Manila) to take a two-stroke lead in the LPGA Mizuho Americas Open in New Jersey.

The 21-year-old, a two-time LPGA winner and four-time winner on the Ladies European Tour, is on the comeback trail after recovering from a left thumb injury, had seven birdies in all on the way to a nine-under par total of 135, which put her two shots clear of overnight leader Lee So-mi, who posted a one-under 71.