Norway's Suzann Pettersen stormed into contention at the halfway stage of the Blue Bay LPGA, posting the only sub-70 round on a second day of strong winds and high scores in China.
Pettersen, who was accused of showing a lack of sportsmanship after a putt concession row at the Solheim Cup last month, fired four birdies in a three-under 69 round to sit second on one under, one behind pacesetter Sei Young Kim.
With blustering winds and undulating greens providing a tough test for the field, Pettersen reached the turn in 33 before bouncing back from a dropped shot at the 10th to sink a birdie at the last and continue to progress up the leaderboard.
Kim also made a gain at the par-five 18th, moving in to the outright lead with a level-par 72 on the lengthy Jian Luke Bay Course, as she bids for a third title of the season.
"I like playing in the wind," the world No 11, who had victories in blustery conditions in the Bahamas and Hawaii, said. "I like the windy weather because I'm using a lot of skills and low cut shots."
The 22-year-old is one of only five players heading in to the weekend under par, with Pettersen joint-second alongside Candie Kung and American duo Ryann O'Toole and Austin Ernst.
Overnight leader Lin Xi Yu started her second round brightly with two birdies in the first three holes, but failed to pick up another shot all afternoon as she slipped to a bogey-filled 77 to head in to the weekend level par for the tournament.
World No 3 Stacy Lewis is also two shots adrift, while new world No 1 Lydia Ko endured another tough day as she stuttered to a three-over 75.
Ko lies 10 shots off the pace but may still be able to extend her lead on the LPGA's Race to the Globe title, as world No 2 and nearest challenger Inbee Park withdrew due to a finger injury.
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