Sakura Yokomine shot up the leaderboard at the LPGA's Kia Classic on Friday with a second-round, five-under 67 that left her tied with three others for fifth place.

Yokomine, who started the day 17th at the par-72 Aviara Golf Club, reeled in eight birdies against three bogeys to sit two strokes back of co-leaders Morgan Pressel of the United States and South Korea's Mirim Lee.

This is the first time the 29-year-old Yokomine has made the cut since joining the U.S. tour full time this season.

"I think I've played amazingly well. Making the cut gives me confidence," Yokomine said.