Nelly Korda leads the KPMG Women's PGA Championship after two rounds ©Getty Images

Nelly Korda earned a one-shot lead at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship after a fine second round at the Atlanta Athletic Club.

Korda began the day three shots behind overnight leader Lizette Salas.

The 22-year-old American displayed the form which helped her win last week’s Meijer LPGA Classic at Blythefield Country Club in Michigan.

She began her round with a bogey, but three birdies saw the American rise up the leaderboard.

Korda made seven birdies on the back nine, with her score of 29 tying the lowest nine-hole score in Women’s PGA Championship history.

A record-equalling round of 63 ensured Korda occupies top spot at the halfway mark of the major on 11 under par.

Salas remains in contention after recording back-to-back five-under-par rounds of 67 to lie one shot off the lead.

Round one leader Lizette Salas lies second in the standings ©Getty Images
Round one leader Lizette Salas lies second in the standings ©Getty Images

Cydney Clanton of the United States, Canada’s Alena Sharp and France’s Celine Boutier are tied for third at seven under par.

Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom is six under par in sixth.

Charley Hull was second after the opening round of competition, but the English golfer now lies seventh at five under par.

She is joined by Germany’s Esther Henseleit and South Korea’s Inbee Park, a three-time winner of the major.