Marina Alex and Japan’s Nasa Hataoka fired seven-under-par 65s to share the 18-hole lead at the LPGA Drive On Championship in Fort Myers, Florida.
Alex posted a clean round, carding seven birdies — including five straight from Nos. 9-13 of Crown Colony Golf & Country Club.
Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand, Leona Maguire of Ireland and Sweden’s Linnea Johansson are tied for third at six-under.
Six players are two shots back in a tie for sixth.
Hataoka, starting on No. 10, finished with eight birdies against one bogey in the three-day tournament. Hataoka’s last two victories have come at 54-hole events and four of her five career victories overall were three-day events.
“Three-day tournaments, yes, I have a good image of it, so hopefully I can play two more good rounds,” Hataoka said.
Alex’s 65 is her lowest score since she carded a 64 in 2019 at the Indy Women in Tech Championship.
“I really putted nicely today. The first couple holes were kind of tough just getting used to the wind and figuring out, you know, how far everything was playing,” Alex said.
Alex seeks her second career victory. She posted a win at the 2018 Cambia Portland Classic. Ten golfers sit three shots back in a tie for 12th at four-under.
Defending champion Austin Ernst shot a two-under 70 to sit T34.
