Cavan’s Leona Maguire didn’t let the early Friday morning rain and strong winds stop her from piecing together a competitive round on day two of the ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links as the 31-year-old posted another even-par 72 to see herself just outside the top-10 heading into the weekend.
Starting on the back nine, Maguire began well with an early birdie at the par-4 tenth. A bogey came at the 12th but Maguire was quickly under-par again as she capitalised on her first par-5 of the day, the 14th, with an impressive four.
Taking the turn at one-under, Maguire made another four at the par-5 fifth to take herself to two-under. A brief lapse in concentration saw the two-time LPGA winner make back-to-back bogeys at the sixth and seventh to get back to the clubhouse at even-par. Maguire’s second even-par round sees her sit T11.
Unfortunately for Lauren Walsh, her first round damages were too severe to make it into the weekend as she missed the +6 cutline by just one stroke. Like Maguire, Walsh battled the conditions well on Friday as the 25-year-old made a late birdie to post a 72. The Kildare native’s first round 79 was too much to overturn.
Dublin’s Anna Foster bettered her first round by 10 strokes on Friday as she posted a two-over-par 74. The 25-year-old really struggled on Thursday but managed to tighten things up in the second round as she bowed out of the competition at 14-over.
Korea’s Jenny Shin has really taken a hold of the links course as 33-year-old posted a five-under-par 67 to see herself go five strokes clear at the top. An early bogey at the first seemed to fire Shin up, as she went bogey free from there making six birdies.
Germany’s Esther Henseleit occupies second place thanks to a bogey free second round 68. Starting on the back nine, the 27-year-old birdied the 16th and 17th before making an impressive eagle at the par-5 third.
“I feel like it’s playing much harder than we’ve seen it in the past, makes it easier to stay disciplined and not really chase for birdies out there, and just take your chances when they come. It’s pretty hard to get the ball close to the flag,” said the German.
Kim A-Lim, who was donning a unique pair of rabbit earmuffs to better the cold, sits just one stroke back from the German thanks to an even-par 72 on Friday.
“In the morning wasn’t easier than yesterday because (it) came (with) rain – but the afternoon, after (the) back nine was better. But still hard for me. I don’t know. I don’t feel (like it’s gotten) easier but still harder,” Kim said.
Four golfers sits tied for T4 at four-under. Among them are joint 18-hole leader Lauren Coughlin who posted a two-over second round, and Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn.
“It was windy, really windy this morning. I had some really good opportunities out there. I think I was able to do well off the tee. So gave myself a lot of chances and yeah, despite the fact it was really cold, I was very pleased how I was able to stay warm out there and focus one shot at a time,” said Anannarukarn.
Despite making a nine after initially lining up a 15ft birdie putt at the par-5 fifth in Thursday’s first round, Charley Hull sees herself into the weekend thanks to a one-under-par second round.
Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist shot 7-over to drop from a tie for fifth to just above the cut line on 5-over.
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