They needed to play catch-up at Dundonald Links on Thursday. In fact, the organizers just about required a couple of snookers to get the ISPS Handa Women’s Scottish Open back on track after Thursday’s meteorological muddle, when heavy rains soaked the course.
We’re getting there, though. As for Minjee Lee and Megan Khang? Well, it’s a case of catch us if you can. Lee, the 28-year-old Australian, pinched the first-round lead on Thursday in the near darkness. On Friday, she was home and dry at a more civilized hour.
A three-under 69, which included a finishing flourish of two birdies at 17 and 18, cemented her position at the top of the order.
She was joined at the summit later in the evening by Khang, who picked up a birdie on her closing hole en route to a four-under 68.
Lee, whose brother Min Woo won the men’s Scottish Open back in 2021, has dropped only one shot in 36 holes. In the robust conditions this week, that’s a fine effort.
Last year, Lee began her Dundonald campaign with a potentially ruinous 80 but then reeled off three rounds in the 60s during the kind of mighty salvage operation that raised the Mary Rose. The two-time major winner is now 22-under for her last five rounds in this neck of the woods.
More of the same will do over the weekend. “Obviously, I would love to win,” said Lee, who was pipped to the Scottish title by a shot when it was played at Gullane in 2018.
“I’m just going to do what I can control. I can’t control what other people are doing. I’ll just try my very best. If that happens to be a win, then great.”
Khang packed six birdies into her round as the American Solheim Cup player fortified her position on the leaderboard.
With the wind whipping over the links, Khang certainly enjoyed the challenge. “It’s not often I’m hitting a 7-iron to a 116-yard pin,” she said of this very different style of golf.
“It’s kind of crazy. I’m aiming 30, 40 yards right of the pin and to be able to pull off a shot, it’s a huge confidence boost. You just laugh, like wow, I can’t believe that actually worked sometimes. And so just having a mindset, all right, let’s really trust it and have some fun. Sometimes it can work out and sometimes it doesn’t. I’m trying to tell myself that if I can at least do everything I can to hit the shot I picture, I really can’t be too upset.”
Watch out, @megan_khang1023 came out swinging today during @Womens_Scottish Round 2
WATCH
https://t.co/6YKksk8VvJ
— LPGA (@LPGA) August 16, 2024
Meanwhile, England’s Charley Hull is right in the thick of it heading into the weekend after following up her opening 70 with a 68 to lurk just two shots off the pace on six-under.
Starting on the 10th, Hull enjoyed a lively little burst around the turn and birdied the 17th and eagled the 18th after her approach trundled to within 15 feet of the pin. Two more birdies at the first and third bolstered her assault.
Hull warmed up for this week’s domestic showpiece down the road at Turnberry. She even declared that The Open and some of the big women’s events should head back to the storied Ailsa links.
Of course, with Donald Trump’s name on the entry gates, there’s more chance of The Open being staged on the outer rings of Saturn.
Hull’s Turnberry tune-up has certainly stood her in good stead, though.
With the AIG Women’s Open coming up next week at the Old Course, Hull is getting into the links swing again.
“I love links golf but I find it hard to play in,” said Hull, who is looking to capture a third LPGA Tour title. “I feel like my game is more built for America.
“But over the last few weeks, my coach and I have been working on doing more three-quarter swings so I can do a low-ball flight for the (Women’s) Open. It is actually paying off.”
Lydia Ko, the newly crowned Olympic champion, harnessed the conditions to fine effect as she joined Hull and American, Lauren Coughlin, on the six-under mark after a 69.
“I can’t remember the last time I’ve had to hit a 3-wood on a par 3,” smiled Ko of the club she had to clatter into the wind on the fourth.
“I hit a 5-iron yesterday and today I hit a 3-wood and it landed just pin-high. The number goes out of the window in the wind.”
It wasn’t a good day for the home hopefuls. Only three were in the field and they’re all out now. Gemma Dryburgh, who was desperate for a good week to boost her Solheim Cup ambitions, missed the cut on seven-over after a 75.
Her fellow Aberdonian, Laura Beveridge, also departed on 13-over after a turbulent 83 while Glasgow’s Kylie Henry joined the casualty list on 11-over although she at least shaved 11 shots off her first-round 83 with a spirited 72 in round two. There’s always a bit of pride to play for.