Austin, Texas ? Kansas University sophomore Yupaporn Kawinpakorn shot a 3-under 69 to forge a tie for the lead of the Big 12 Women’s Golf Championships on Friday at the University of Texas Golf Club.

Kawinpakorn is tied with Oklahoma’s Chirapat Jao-Javanil for the overall lead.

OU leads the team race with 291 and is followed by Kansas State (293), Texas Tech (295) and three schools — Baylor, Texas, KU — tied for fourth at 297.

“We are heading into a good position heading into the second round,” Kansas coach Erin O’Neil said. “This is a challenging golf course, and overall we handled ourselves well. It’s supposed to be windier tomorrow, and we will need to be mentally tough in addition to having good course management to continue to move up the leaderboard.”

After shooting an even-par on the front nine with three bogies and three birdies, “Mook” Kawinpakorn shot 3-under on the back nine.

“Mook played great today,” O’Neil said. “She’s hitting the ball the best I’ve ever seen her hit. She’s mentally in a great place right now.”

Three KU teammates — Minami Levonowich, Meghan Potee and Pornvipa Sakdee — are tied for 24th at 76, and Thanuttra Boonraksasat is in 43rd with 82.

The tournament will continue with 18 holes today and 18 Sunday.