American Ally Ewing has opened up a remarkable five-stroke lead in the Women’s British Open after the first wave of golfers finished their second rounds at Walton Heath.
The overnight leader shot a 66, the low score among the early starters on Friday.
The world No.39, who is seeking her first major title after three wins on the LPGA Tour, had led by one shot after a first-round 68 but soon pulled further clear by making five birdies in her front nine — including four straight from the sixth hole.
She rolled in more birdies at the 11th and 16th, only to make her first bogey of the day at the last to drop to 10-under 134 at halfway.
Minami Katsu (69) of South Korea and Andrea Lee (68) of the United States were tied for second place among the early clubhouse pacesetters, both at five under.
“I just kept trying to stay in the now, stay in the present, which is one shot at a time for me and fortunately those shots yielded a lot of really good opportunities I was able to capitalise on,” Ewing said.
“That stretch on the front nine was really, really good and just a really solid day overall.”
Asked what it would mean to win a maiden major title this weekend, Ewing added: “It would be huge. It’s something I’ve obviously circled as something I want to accomplish in my career.
“I’ve had possible chances to do that, I’ve been in the last group, so for me it’s just going to be about leaning on that a little bit as well as leaning on the confidence I have in my game right now.”
Australian Grace Kim remained at one under for the championships after a second-round 72.
The Sydneysider’s round had promised more when she reached three under after 12 holes but a double bogey six at the 13th halted her progress.
Rose Zhang, the American sensation in her first year of pro golf, shot 71 and was nine off the lead. Another American, US Open champion Allisen Corpuz, also shot 71 and was three under.