South Korea’s Hyo Joo Ryu (-7) took control of the championship at Royal Lytham & St. Annes, following her opening round with a composed -2 to move one shot clear of the field. Her precision and calm under links conditions have set the pace heading into the weekend.

Japan’s Sakura Kuwaki (-6) sits in solo second after a steady -1 round, keeping herself firmly in contention. At -5, Yealimi Noh and Atthaya Thitikul Thailand share third place, with Thitikul cooling off slightly after her hot start but still well positioned.

Further down at -3, A. Joo remains in fifth, while a deep group at -2 including Mone Katsu, Lily May Woad, Y.J. Jiang, Lucy Li, Patricia Martín Sam, Lauren Coughlin, Charley Hull, and Chanettee Wannasaen, rounds out the top ten.

India’s challenge ended early, as Aditi Ashok (+5) and Diksha Dagar (+5) both missed the cut despite battling through tough conditions.