Lydia Ko has put Clearwater Golf Club to the sword to make herself firm favourite to win a second New Zealand Women’s Open title.

The world No.1 smashed the course record in her second round. The 17-year-old’s 61 made her 11-under for the day and 13-under for the Christchurch tournament.

She is three shots in front of playing partner Charley Hull of England, who hit an impressive 64. The 18-year-old is the next-highest ranked player in the field at 34th.

Italian Giulia Sergas and American Beth Allen share third place, and are a further stroke back on nine-under.

They will have their hands full catching Ko in Sunday’s third and final round of the 54-hole event.

Ko is pursuing a second title in two weeks after victory at the Women’s Australian Open.

She took advantage of calm conditions in an early start, although she shot a bogey on the par-four first hole.

Responding immediately with an eagle, she went on to shoot 10 birdies from her 16 remaining holes, putting with more precision than during her first-round 70.

She said her day hadn’t begun promisingly.

“I wasn’t hitting it that well at the range, so I thought, ‘OK, let’s forget it. Let’s just go out there and relax’,” she told reporters.

“I started off not on the right pace, but came off with a great eagle on two and just kept going on a roll from there.”

The previous course record was held by Mi Hyang Lee, who shot 63 to beat Ko by one shot at last year’s New Zealand Open.

The next-best Kiwi is Liv Cheng, who shares 14th place on five-under after carding a 68.