Suzann Pettersen of Norway posted the low round of the day, a 3-under-par 69, to take a two-stroke lead over four players in a cold, windy and rainy second round in the 39th Ricoh Women’s British Open at Trump Turnberry Resort in Ayrshire, Scotland.
The 34-year-old Pettersen, a two-time major champion, had the only score of the day in the 60s, making birdies on three of the first seven holes, adding another at No. 17 and taking her only bogey at No. 6.
“Today was a very solid round of golf,” said Pettersen, who has 15 LPGA Tour victories. “I felt I was in 100 percent control of the ball, the flight, the spin; everything you need to do in conditions like this. So this ranks pretty high as a good round of golf.
“The ball is not flying anywhere. It’s cold. Today is a day where you try to make it easier on yourself and I had a very pain-free round. Kept myself out of trouble. Had a lot of looks. It’s tough to putt, as well, in conditions like this. So easy pars is a nice thing.
“I’m getting older. I’m getting wiser. I’m learning. And I guess that’s why this game is so great. Every year you learn something different, how you can kind of maneuver yourself around a golf course.”
Lydia Ko of New Zealand, who can regain the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings with a victory, overcame three straight bogeys early on the back nine with birdies on the 14th and 15th holes to salvage a 73.
That left Ko two shots back in a tie for second with So Yeon Ryu of South Korea, who finished at 72, Teresa Lu of Taiwan, who had a 71,and Jin Young Ko of South Korea, who wound up at 71.
Mika Miyazato of Japan birdied the 17th hole to get in at 72 and was three back in solo sixth, while Anna Nordqvist of Sweden and Minjee Lee of Australia also carded 72s and were another stroke behind in a tie for seventh.
Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea was solo ninth after a 73, while Christina Kim of San Jose shot 72 and was in a tie for 10th that included Cristie Kerr, who struggled to a 77, and first-round leader Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea, who followed a 65 with a 78.
Third-ranked Stacy Lewis was tied for 20th following a 73, and Lexi Thompson, who won the Meijer LPGA Classic last week, was tied for 32nd after shooting 75.
Michelle Wie of Stanford was well on her way to missing the cut when she withdrew after aggravating a left ankle injury.
Wie, who showed up in Scotland wearing a walking boot to protect a bone spur in her left foot and also has been bothered by a left hip injury, opened with a 72 and was 10-over through 13 holes in round two before walking off the course.
