In a continuation of her trial by links golf on Friday, Nicole Garcia managed to stay inside the top 10 of the ISPA Handa Women’s Scottish Open at Dundonald Links near Troon with a second round of one-over-par 73.
In typically tough Scottish conditions, the gritty South African managed to drop just two strokes on her front nine, and then picked up two birdies on the way home. Those gains sandwiched a third bogey, on the 15th. At two-under for the championship, she reached halfway six strokes off the lead – a difference that can disappear like a Scottish summer mist.
Up front, first-round leader Minjee Lee of Australia had a three=under 69 to move to eight-under. That was a total which had her in a share of the lead through 36 holes with Megan Khang of the United States. Khand drew level with her four-under 68.
That pair was two strokes clear of the power trio of Laura Coughlin of the United States, Lydia Ko of New Zealand, and England’s Charley Hull. There were two players on three-under, and then eight other shared eighth with Garcia.
Ashleigh Buhai rallied after her poor opening round with a one-under 71 taking her to a share of 45th on three-over and a part of the weekend’s action.
Lee-Anne Pace also made the cut with a second-round 75 seeing her make the weekend on the number at four-over in a share of 53rd.
Casandra Alexander and Paula Reto missed the cut on 10-over and 12-over respectively.
