Vancouver’s Kong 2 shots back of lead at Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship

Vancouver’s Tiffany Kong is just two shots back of the lead after hitting a 3-under 68 in the second round of the Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship on Wednesday.

Kong sits in fourth at 5 under, behind Americans Gina Kim, Yealimi Noh and Dylan Kim, who are tied for first at 7 under at the Marine Drive Golf Club.

Noh set a women’s course record Tuesday, before it was later tied by Dylan Kim and topped by No.1-ranked amateur golfer Jennifer Kupcho with a 7-under 64.

Noah and Dylan Kim both followed up their opening-round 5-under 66s with 69s.

“I thought it was a fairly solid round,” Dylan Kim said of her second-round performance.

“My shots were really consistent, and I managed to play all the smart shots today and the putts were dropping. I’d say overall I was pretty happy with what I came out with.

“This course is narrow and tricky in its own way. Considering yesterday went pretty well, I thought ‘Why not just continue to go with what I’ve been doing?’ and I think it worked out again today and I think I’m going to keep going with that for the rest of the week.”

Hannah Lee of Surrey, B.C., is the next best performing Canadian at 1 under.

Kong was in a four-way tie for sixth along with Naomi Ko of Victoria, B.C. at 2 under after the first round Tuesday.

Ko — who was the top Canadian at last year’s event, finishing tied for third — was 3 over on the day to drop to 1 over.

She’s in a dead heat at with 11 golfers, including World No. 16 Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., and No. 26 Jaclyn Lee of Calgary.

Day 1 leader and defending champion Kupcho fell to 3 under after a 4-over second round.

Kupcho, who is the No.1-ranked amateur golfer, captured last year’s tournament when it was held at Cutten Fields in Guelph, Ont.

The 21-year-old from Westminster, Colo., shot a course record 7-under 64 in the first round.

The four-round tournament goes from July 24 to 27.