Scots surge into contention in Maryland
Norway’s Suzann Pettersen grabbed the lead with a super 67 and Scots Mhairi McKay and Catriona Matthew are also well in the hunt after at the halfway stage of the McDonald’s LPGA Championship at Bulle Rock in Maryland.
Pettersen, who came close to victory in the first major of the year at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in March, had seven birdies, including three in a row from the 15th.
She led on eight-under-par 136, a shot ahead of Australia’s Karrie Webb, who had a 71, and two better than Birdie Kim (71) and Brittany Lincicome (69).
McKay and Matthew, who was second in the first major of the year, were just four behind at four under after matching rounds of 69.
The 32-year-old McKay has had an indifferent season but she was thrilled with her 36-hole total.
“I got off to a great start with three birdies in the first four holes and took it from there,” she said.
“I was lucky to be out in the morning before it got really hot. It was up to 96 degrees by mid-afternoon. Now I’m looking forward to the weekend. It’s always great to be in contention at a major.”
Matthew played in the company of Annika Sorenstam and finished one behind the former world number one after staging a late charge.
She birdied three holes in a row from the sixth (her 15th) hole. Sorenstam, winner two years ago, birdied the last two for a 69.
Laura Davies, a shot off the lead after a first-day 68, continued to motor along nicely until she lost a ball at the 14th and then dropped a shot at the 17th for a 75. But she certainly is not out of it on one-under par.
“It was a shame about the double-bogey at the 14th but, overall, I’m reasonably happy,” said the four-time major champion.
“I certainly feel I’m playing well enough to win. I drove the ball great today and I’ll certainly be giving it my all over the next two days.”
Seventeen-year-old Michelle Wie, who was 14 over-par for 16 holes when she pulled out of last week’s tournament, bogeyed the last hole for a 74 but made the cut with nothing to spare on three-over-par 147.
“I’m still not 100%, but I’m proud of the way I rallied back this week,” said the youngster.
“It was five thousand times better than last week and I can go away with a lot more confidence.”
Pettersen was joint second at the Kraft after she threw away a bundle of shots down the closing stretch, but she recovered from that collapse to win her first LPGA tournament at the Michelob ULTRA Open in May.
She was in terrific form on the greens and said: “It’s great to go into the weekend with the lead.
“I learned a lot from the Kraft. I need to stay patient and just take each shot as it comes.”
Canada’s Lorie Kane had a 73 and was on the same mark as Wie, but fellow Canadian Anna-Jane Eathorne was on six over following a 78.
