Ko has fired a five-under par 67 to move into lone second at eight-under par and just two shots off the lead of Korea’s Ha Na Jang.
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Jang had eight birdies and one bogey Friday to get to 10 under for the tournament.
Ko rallied by picking up birdies at the last two holes, but the damage had been done in the previous two holes, leaving Jang two strokes clear with 36 holes remaining.
Level with LPGA veteran Kerr were her fellow Americans Brittany Lincicome, Jennifer Song, Gerina Piller and Jaye Marie Green, and South Korean Kim Sei-young.
And, while the world No. 53 was charging to the lead, New Zealand teen star Lydia Ko carded a 69 to help tighten her grip on the world No. 1 ranking ahead of South Korean Park In Bee, who opened with a 71 to share 22nd place.
While all eyes are on top-ranked duo Lydia Ko and Inbee Park as they continue their battle for season-long supremacy, 23-year-old Ernst was most impressive on the opening day, carding a six-under-par 66 to take a one-shot lead over South Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee.
Park must finish 12th or better to have a chance of swiping the year-end top spot from Ko, the defending champion who took the season points bonus and the title previous year for a record US$1.5 million (S$2.1 million) payday.
“France is in a hard time right now”, Icher said. “To have so many different prizes on the line, I don’t think I would sleep”. “All we can do is just think of them, pray for them and that’s it. It’s really sad, but unfortunately I think it’s only the beginning and it’s really scary. When I get around like that with the putter, that’s when I have good weeks”.
Ko has the edge going into the weekend in their head-to-head contest, but Friday may give Park reason for hope.
Ko, 18, had to hit a provisional on No. 1, but found her ball, punched out and made par.
“I know she played well yesterday as well”, Park said.
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Ko was low-key about her late stumble, saying she had just tried to continue playing confidently. A single blemish on her scorecard came on the par-3 16th where she couldn’t convert her chip into an up-and-down resulting in a bogey. “She seems like she really likes this golf course”. Lewis is ranked No. 3 despite having no tourney wins.
