Minjee Four Back In Ricoh Women’s British Open

WA’s Minjee Lee is just four shots off the lead after carding a superb even par round 72 in extremely challenging conditions during the second round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open at Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire.

Lee has posted rounds of 69 and 72 to be at three-under-par and just four back from Norway’s Suzann Pettersen.  Pettersen signed for a superb three under par 69 on a wet and windy day to storm into a two shot lead over four players: Lydia Ko (73), Teresa Lu (72), Jin Young Ko (71) and So Yeon Ryu (72). 

Lee, who is looking to capture her first major, shares seventh place with Anna Nordqvist. 

Thirty seven players started the second round under par but by nightfall that number had dwindled to 14 as the unseasonal weather took its toll.

Of the other Australians in the field, Stacy Keating and So Oh will be playing the week-end with Lee.  Both Keating and Oh were out relatively early in the second round which was an advantage.  They did have the wind and showers but the wind increased in strength and rain came in as the day went on.

Keating is at three-over-par after rounds of 71 and 75 and shares 41^st place, while Oh posted an even par round of 72 to make it right on the cut number of five-over-par.   73 players made the week-end at five-over or better.

Unfortunately Rebecca Artis, Karrie Webb and Sarah Kemp were all out later in the day and had the worst of the weather.  Artis carded an 82 to finish at 10-over and tied for 110^th. Webb fared better on Friday, posting a respectable 75, but her first round was costly.  The former winner at Turnberry finished at 11-over and T116.  Kemp was the last group out and just finished before darkness fell, she finished well back 17-over.  

For much of the day, Pettersen was the only player to shoot a sub-70 round. However, as darkness fell, and the rain continued to tumble from the leaden skies,  her fellow Scandinavian, Maria McBride – formerly Hjorth – carded a flawless 66 to better her opening round by no less than 13 shots.

“Today was a very solid round of golf,” said the 34 year-old two-time Major champion from Olso. “I felt I was in one hundred percent control of the ball. I did everything you need to do in conditions like this so this ranks pretty high as a good round of golf.

“I’m getting older. I’m getting wiser. I’m learning and I guess that’s why this game is great. Every year you can learn something different. I’m probably playing a bit smarter. This course is a lot about the tee balls. It’s not really necessary to squeeze the ball in between the bunkers. You can lay yourself up short of them and take the trouble out of play. That’s kind of my strategy this week and it’s worked pretty well so far.”

Big-name casualties to miss the cut were Paula Creamer, Laura Davies and defending champion, Mo Martin and Ai Miyazato, while Michelle Wie withdrew on her 13^th hole suffering from an ankle problem.