KANG, KIM TIED AT 7-UNDER 135

OLYMPIA FIELDS, ILL.» Danielle Kang won back-toback majors as an amateur yet she’s never cracked the winner’s circle in her halfdozen years as a pro.

The 24-year-old Californian took a big step in the right direction, grabbing a share of the second-round lead in the morning wave Friday at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Her biggest hurdle could well be co-leader Sei Young Kim, the LPGA Tour’s 2015 rookie of the year and already a six-time winner on tour.

Kang and Kim each shot 5-under-par 66 to reach 7-under 135.

First-round leader Amy Yang (71), Chella Choi (70), Brittany Lincicome (66), Jodi Ewart Shadoff (66) and Mi Hyang Lee (67) were another stroke back.

So Yeon Ryu (68), who climbed to No. 1 in the world ranking after a victory last week and won the LPGA Tour’s first major of the season, was at 5 under, along with defending champion Brooke Henderson (69), Moriya Jutanugarn (68) and Sarah Jane Smith (67).

Lydia Ko shot 68 to put herself back in contention at 4 under. Michelle Wie also was 4 under, following her opening 68 with a 70.

Kang, the U.S. Women’s Amateur champion in 2010-11, conceded she didn’t have a game plan after her last practice round at Olympia Fields Country Club, one of several venues that previously hosted men’s majors now being tested by the women.

“I kind of was superoverwhelmed and didn’t know what to do,” she said. “So I called my brother, Alex, of course.”

Perry, Triplett tied.

PEABODY, MASS.» Kenny Perry’s three-stroke deficit after the first day of the U.S. Senior Open had turned to six by the time he teed off in the second round.

Two holes later, Perry had fallen behind leader Kirk Triplett by eight strokes.

“I guess I was too anxious, too amped up. I was thinking, ‘Oh my goodness, I’m not going to break 80 today,’ ” he said after shooting a 6-under 64 to tie Triplett for the lead at a record 11 under at once- fearsome, but suddenly forgiving, Salem Country Club.

“I just started thinking, I’ve got to figure out a way to settle myself down,” Perry said. “Most of the time you take off poorly, you stay in that funk. I just didn’t need to let two holes determine the outcome of my tournament.”

Lingmerth still leads.

POTOMAC, MD.»

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