Both players shot rounds of 66 today having posted the same total of 69 yesterday. 

It puts them one shot clear of five players currently tied for third place; England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff, American Brittany Lincicome, and the South Korean trio of Lee Mi-hyang, Chella Choi and Amy Yang.

Bad weather affected the opening round and Kim was thankful for today's more favourable conditions.

"Fortunately, when I teed off, [it was] a little less windy [than yesterday]," the 2015 Rolex Rookie of the Year, who made six birdies and one bogey, said.

"So I was able to play to the pin, attack the pin.

"I made a lot of opportunities for birdies."

Kang made five birdies today and has yet to drop a shot so far.

"In both of those rounds I kept to my game plan and they were both bogey-free, so I’m pretty happy," the two-time winner of the US Women’s Amateur Championship said.

"I kept sticking to the iron shots that I have trusted all my life, and giving myself opportunities is what I've been doing."

A group of four players are two shots off the pace, comprising Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn, world number one Ryu So-yeon of South Korea, defending champion Brooke Henderson of Canada and Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith.

Former world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand is a further shot back along with the US’ Michelle Wie and India’s Aditi Ashok.

Among those missing the cut mark of two-over-par were a number of major winners, including Americans Brittany Lang and Stacy Lewis, and South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon.  

The final round is due to take place on Sunday (July 2).