PATTAYA, Thailand (Kyodo) Momoko Ueda put herself in contention for her first U.S. LPGA Tour title on Friday, shooting a 3-under 69 to tie for fourth at the season-opening Honda LPGA Thailand.

Ueda, the 2007 Japanese tour money leader playing in her fourth season on the U.S. circuit, moved to 5-under 139, three strokes behind South Korean leader Kim In Kyung.

Kim finished off her round of 73 with a birdie to lead Michelle Wie and world No. 1 Yani Tseng by one at Siam Country Club.