LAST UPDATE | 11 Aug 2023
AMERICAN ALLY EWING stormed into a five-shot lead with a brilliant second-round 66 in the Women’s British Open at Walton Heath on Friday.
The 30-year-old led by one stroke after an opening 68 and a seven-birdie round put her on 10-under par and in control after the early starters had completed their second rounds at the last Major of the year.
Both Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow made the cut for the weekend action. Maguire is in a tie for 40th at level par, while Stephanie Meadow is in a tie for 47th at one-over.
Maguire carded a second successive 72, mixing birdies on the 2nd, 7th, 14th and 17th, with bogeys on the 4th, 6th, 10th and 13th. Meadow’s challenge stalled with two bogeys on the back nine which saw her sign for a two-over par 74, dropping her to one-over for the tournament.
Tomorrow’s third round action will see Meadow tee off at 10.50am and Maguire slightly later at 11am.
Dublin amateur Anna Foster bounced back from her disappointing opening round of 85 on Thursday and was a full ten shots better on Friday, signing for a three-over par 75.
The leader Ewing had a magical run of four birdies in a row from the sixth and her only mistake came at the tough closing hole where she drove into the rough and took a bogey five.
“I was definitely in the zone when I had that string of birdies,” said Ewing. “But I just tried to stay in the here and now.
“It would be huge to become a Major champion, it’s definitely something I’ve circled to accomplish in my career. But now I need a good rest and get ready for tomorrow.”
American Andrea Lee (68) and Japan’s Minami Katsu (69) were Ewing’s closest challengers in a share of second spot on five under par.
Lilia Vu, winner of the first major of the season at the Chevron Championship, enhanced her hopes with a second-round 68 to reach four-under and US Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz was one further back after a 71.
