Hannah Green has stayed cool in steamy conditions to remain in the hunt at the halfway point of the LPGA Tour's Maybank Championship in Malaysia.
Green battled an unco-operative driver and intense tropical heat to grind out a two-under-par 70 on Friday to be tied for third after the second round of the inaugural $US3 million event.
Thailand's Jasmine Suwannapura recovered from two early bogeys with five birdies in her last 12 holes to retain the outright lead at 12 under with a fighting 69.
American prodigy Rose Zhang, who spectacularly won on her LPGA and professional debut earlier this year, is second at 11 under following a round of 68.
Green is only two shots off the pace after mixing five birdies with three bogeys.
The 2019 US PGA Championship winner hit a succession of wayward drives but saved her round with a fine iron and putting display.
Green shares third with Frenchwoman Celine Boutier, who produced the round of the day, a nine-birdie, eight-under 64, to soar up the leaderboard in pursuit of a tour-best fourth win of the year.
Taiwan's Peiyun Chien is also at 10 under overall after signing for a 69 at the Kuala Lumpur Country Club.
A total of 18 players are within five strokes of the lead entering the weekend, including Grace Kim.
Kim posted an even-par 72 to stay at seven under, in a tie for 14th.
Green and Kim are striving to follow up Minjee Lee's victory at last week's BMW Ladies Championship in South Korea and continue Australia's hot streak in global golf
Lee's younger brother Min Woo won the Macau Open the week before, on the same day as fellow Australian Rod Pampling took out the SAS Championship on the PGA seniors' tour in North Carolina.
