Leona Maguire will be the sole Irish representative over the weekend at the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open after the Cavan woman finished just the right side of the cutline at Dundonald Links.
It was heartbreak for Lauren Walsh, however, who battled hard over two tough days in often brutal weather conditions only to miss out by the minimum, while Stephanie Meadow finished well off the pace after her 36 holes.
Minjee Lee and Megan Khang share the lead on eight-under-par at the midway mark.
Australian star Lee led overnight thanks to an opening round of 67 (-5) at Dundonald Links and she followed that up with a 69 (-3) on day two.
The two-time Major champion began her day on the tenth tee and rolled in back-to-back birdies on holes 17 and 18 to extend her advantage.
Lee then made further birdies on holes two and three before dropping her only shot of the week on the tough seventh hole to lead with a total of eight-under.
“I feel like I’m playing really solidly,” said the Australian. “It was really windy out there, even more so than yesterday afternoon. I feel like I just put myself in good positions when I made my birdies and tried to make the least amount of bogeys as possible. I think I’m doing pretty good out there.
“I really enjoy coming back to Scotland playing the Scottish and also the AIGWO whenever I can. I just love links courses. The last few years, we probably haven’t had as much wind at the Scottish Open, but I feel like we’re playing a true links-style course and conditions, so it’s a lot more fun.
“I would love to win and that is what we strive for as players. I’m just going to do what I can control. I’ll just try my very best, and if that happens to be a win, that’s great. If it doesn’t, it’s also part of my process too. I’m just going to try and go out there and have as much fun as I can.”
American Khang began her day from the first and had a great start to her round with a chip-in birdie on the third.
After making a bogey on the fourth, the United States star continued to battle well against the strong winds rolling in birdies on seven, nine and ten.
Khang went birdie-bogey on 14 and 15 before finishing with a birdie at the last to sign for a round of 68 (-4) and move into a share of the lead alongside Lee.
“I’m really trying to have a lot of fun out there,” said Khang. “It’s not often I’m hitting a 7-iron to a 116 pin. I’m really comfortable with how my ball-striking is.
“Fortunately, I’ve been able to hit some good shots and really trust myself out there and make some long putts here and there but overall, really trying to enjoy it and make the most of it because it’s tough.
“I’ve been hitting the ball pretty solid this entire year, and the difference has been making the putts. This week I have been a little bit fortunate to make the putts. It’s just golf.
“It’s always between the ears that gets you going, and so kind of coming into this week, obviously next week being St Andrews, as well, just trying to really embrace links golf and have some fun.
“I’m just really embracing mother nature because it’s going to be wild out there. It’s going to be fun, but it’s also going to be a challenge that you just have to look at the bright side of things.”
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