After 36 Holes, It's a Packed Leaderboard at CME Group Tour Championship

When you comprise a field of the top performers from the entire season, it shouldn't come as a shock to see the very best leading the way.

We're officially half way through the LPGA's season finale, the CME Group Tour Championship, and this 36-hole leaderboard is stacked, with the world No.1 Jeeno Thitikul leading the charge.

With Rolex Player of the Year, a $4 million dollar payout, and defending her CME title on the line, the 22-year-old is playing like she has a few chips on her shoulders. She was an absolute birdie machine on Friday at Tiburon Golf Club.

Thitikul carded nine birdies en route to her second round 63.

World No. 2 Nelly Korda also found her groove early on Friday matching Thitikul's nine birdies, but had one bogey on the seventh hole.

Can Korda take advantage of moving day and put herself into Sunday's final group, for one last chance at a win this season?

When asked about what it will take to close out with a win Korda said, "Yeah, just kind of get it going on the weekend for sure. I mean, depends on the pins. Every year they kind of trick them out. I know Jason [McDede] was talking in years prior it would be six from the edge and we see it starting to be like three or four. So just being consistent with my ball striking and hoping some putts fall."

Thitikul and Korda aside—we have a few other familiar faces hanging in contention.

Fan favorite Brooke Henderson sits at 9-under along with Korda in a four-way tie for fifth. Minjee Lee is also in that cohort tied near the top.

Lydia Ko and Charley Hull are sitting inside the top-20, at 7-under and 6-under respectively.

Weekend coverage of the CME Group Tour Championship will kick off on EPSN+ tomorrow around 8 a.m. ET.

See the full TV and streaming slate here.

RELATED: Sean Foley Spotted Working With Rising LPGA Star