Ina Yoon Posts Lowest 36-Hole Score in KPMG Women's PGA History

It wasn’t always easy on Friday, but Ina Yoon was able to extend her lead through 36 holes of the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

Her lead ballooned to five strokes after a second round, 3-under-par 69, all while posting the lowest 36-hole score to par in the history of the Major Championship.

“This is actually my first time being lead going into the weekend,” said Yoon. “It's actually really nice experience for me. I'm so excited to play two more days.”

The previous lowest 36-hole score relative to par through 36 holes was 11-under-par, posted by In Gee Chun in 2022, Nelly Korda in 2021 and Karrie Webb in 2001.

The last player to be 12-under-par or lower through the first 36 holes of any Major Championship was Nelly Korda at this year's Chevron Championship. She was -14 through two rounds and ended up winning by 5 strokes.

Yoon opened with a Championship record-tying 63 in the opening round. But knows the last 36 holes won’t be easy.

“The remaining two days will obviously be nerve-wracking, but being nervous is human nature, and I think I want to embrace that and focus on what I can in my shots.”

Yoon’s best finish in a Major Championship was earlier this year when she finished in a tie for fourth at The Chevron Championship.

In her only other appearance in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2025 at Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco, Yoon missed the cut.

Three players have led the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship by five or more strokes at the end of 36 holes:

• Mickey Wright led by 8 strokes in 1958 
• Cristie Kerr led by 5 strokes in 2010
• In Gee Chun led by 6 strokes in 2022
  

* All 3 players went on to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.

“Rather than doing anything crazy, I want to focus on what we've been doing with my caddie, Kevin,” said Yoon. “So that's what my plan is for the weekend.”

Yoon is being chased by a foursome of players at 7-under-par, including 2016 KPMG Women’s PGA Champion Brooke Henderson.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda, the 2021 KPMG Women’s PGA Champion who has won the first two Major Championships of 2026, is another stroke back and tied for 6th through 36 holes.