Sarah Kemp will attempt to channel Minjee Lee’s major-winning mindset as she seeks to close out a maiden LPGA Tour win at the Cognizant Founders Cup.

Three birdies out of the gate provided the cornerstone to Kemp’s second round of seven-under 65 as she climbed to a share of top spot at eight-under par alongside world No.3 Jin Young Ko (68) at Upper Montclair Country Club in New Jersey.

Defending champion Lee (69) is just one shot further back in a share of third while a third member of Australia’s International Crown team, Stephanie Kyriacou (69) is tied for seventh at five-under par.

Now in her 16th year on the LPGA Tour, that breakthrough win has thus far eluded Kemp.

Representing her country last week was one of Kemp’s primary goals at the start of the season and it provided an insight into how two major champions execute under pressure.

Kemp played with Hannah Green the first three days in fourballs before Kemp partnered with Lee in two foursomes matches on the final day, including the final against Thailand.

Conceding that she has a tendency to overthink her golf at times, Kemp will endeavour to follow the lead of Lee and play with freedom in Saturday’s final group.

“They make it kind of look so easy, especially with Minjee,” Kemp said of her week with Green and Lee.

“She just makes it look so simple. I'm sure she's thinking about stuff, but it just doesn't look like there is a whole lot going on up there.

“It's just kind of see it, feel it, hit it, where I think I can get in my own way sometimes and think too much.

“If I learnt anything, just playing a little bit more carefree.

“I have to ask her how she does it, but it sure looks like she's not thinking too hard about shots. I think I can do that sometimes.”

As Kemp seeks to follow in Lee’s footsteps, the West Australian is giving no thought as to what led to her success in this event 12 months ago.

The 26-year-old was a two-stroke winner at Upper Montclair last year and, like Kemp, is trying to use the positive energy of her experience with Team Australia to win a ninth LPGA Tour title.

“I actually haven't really been thinking too much about the defending champion bit,” said Lee.

“I just wanted to have two good rounds to start the week, and I'm in a good position for the weekend.

“I'm just going to stick to my game plan, hit good drives, hit good shots into the greens, and hit good putts. That's all that I can control.

“Last week was really fun. I got to have a really fun week with the girls.

“Finishing off the week I was striking it really well, so kind of brought good momentum into this week.”

A second round of three-under 68 has moved WA’s Kirsten Rudgeley into a share of 18th at the Jabra Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour.

Even par through 12 holes at Evian Resort, Rudgeley made birdies at 13, 16 and 17 to surge late and sit eight strokes off the lead. Fellow West Australian Whitney Hillier (76) missed the cut on the number.

Due to rain on Friday, the second round of the WPGA-sanctioned Thailand Mixed will be completed on Saturday with the third and final round to be played Sunday.

South Australian Liam Georgiadis is the best-placed Australian in a tie for seventh after a second round of two-under 71.