Day 2 Golf: Women's British Open

Hello and welcome today two of the women's British Open, a fresh start

to the day, and the wind has picked up on Scotland's's east coast. More

challenging than yesterday, with a threat of rain, so it's a bit

different from yesterday morning, which began with the sun sparkling

off the North Sea, and Michelle Wie shone brightest on the links.

It was gorgeous out there. Sometimes you get a knot breeze. It's

spectacular. I'm really proud of myself.

Michelle Wie is out in front after round one. A wonderful 64.

29-year-old South Korean In-Kyung Kim is a shot back. And there is

English interest a shot further back, Lauren Davis rolling back the

years alongside Georgia Hall -- Georgia Hall and Charley Hull on

four under par. Greg Davies looking to replicate the form that saw her

get 67 yesterday. Here she is on the par 312, off the green, but it

doesn't matter, in it goes to get three for the round, 8-under for the

Championship. 24-year-old South Korean Jenny Shin started today two

under and had this for birdie on the 12th. In it would go, moving her to

5-under, but she'd go even better on the par 3/14, with a whole month --

with a hole-in-one. England's Georgia Hall started the day four

off the lead, but four straight birdies in the front line at her

right up there. This is her tee shot on the par-3 fourteenths. Fired

straight at the flag, and that would mean a simple putt for birdie. It

would go, a sixth birdie of the day for Georgia Hall, 5-under par for

her around. Georgia Hall leading the way under par. 2014 champion Mo

Martin making steady ground. A slow start for world number two Lexi

Thompson, but she has recovered with birdies on ten, 11 and 12, helping

her back to 6-under par. They spit out on without commentaries. --

let's get out on the course with our commentators.

Thank you, a bit overcast but pleasant conditions. Lexi Thompson,

starting the day at 5-under, now 6-under. Approach to the 13th, and a

beauty. The back of the green. She won't be sure how close it is, but

it is next to the flag. Georgina hall having an excellent day,

9-under, 5-under for the day. Here on 16, her second shot, finding the

green. Actually, looking quite good, even though her body language showed

something different. Lexie is a bit of a roll at the 13th. Lovely

approach, another birdie on the cards.

Birdie chance for Georgia Hall. She's got it. She's darn well got

it. What a good-looking card, now leading by two, 10-under. Look at

that. Georgia Hall, 6-under for her

around, seven birdies on her card. She leads by two, going up the 16th.

62 for Michelle Wie yesterday, a course record, and Lexi Thompson,

fresh from a fourth birdie in a row. Some great play this morning.

Charley Hull, second to 13th, perfect tee shot she should be able

to land it softly, which she does. The greens are perfect. She could do

with a fast finish. Georgia Hall on the 16th with a 3-wood. Trying to

avoid the bunkers, trying to have a good finish after a wonderful day.

I think that's in one of those little pot bunkers.

14 today, 170 yards. Spectacular looking hole, pin towards the front

right. Nicely done, gathering up from

there. It's in an accessible spot. Earlier today, Jenny Shin made a

hole-in-one here. Here is Laura. Just keep your calm, try and get a

birdie. Good for the weekend. I still think it's amazing, the way

she looks. Calling for it to stay in the air. Still an amazing lady. Dame

Laura. Amy Yang on 18, 6-under. Only 13 on to the pin, very much in the

middle. And she showed it right there, great shot. Charley Hull at

the 13th. Cross handed, got to be. Well done. Beautifully struck. Right

at the sweet spot. Birdies at 11 and 13, back to four under. The 16th,

Georgia Hall drove it into a sand bunker on this par four. This is her

third shot. A little bluff. She's got to carry. Sit! Oh, be lucky.

Just stayed up, or it would have run to the front of the green. That, to

save her par. The boys and girls are out, the lobster boys, the crabbers.

It's interesting watching in the evening in St Andrews bay the little

ships, I presume they are crabbers or lobsters, and it's all out on a

day like this, but, when the waves are 30 foot high, it ain't much fun.

-- it's all right on a day like this. Laura trying to salvage a bit

after bogey double at the last two holes. Come on, Laura. Not a very

nice feeling. I hope there's enough for her to play for the weekend. We

like to see Dame Laura. Lexi Thompson on 14, going for five

birdies in a row. And she does it. That putter is a bit hot today. She

is 8-under, two shots off the lead. Laura missed the green, she chipped

it up and she has this by bogey. She missed her par at -- she has this

for a bogey. She missed her par putt. I'm fortunate finish, bogey,

double bogey. Georgia Hall coming to the end of her round. She's been in

trouble, I hear. This is for par. We have seen a few players doing well

and then coming to the last four or five holes and dropping three or

four. Angel Yin is trying to finish with a

nice birdie. That fist pump she did, she goes 7-under. And it's in a good

position for the weekend. It's not been a great finish Laura Davies,

Dame Laura. She is talking to us. It started so well and peed off a bit

at the end, but are you pleased with what you produced? -- and it went

off a bit at the end. Up until the end, I was cruising. I had 33 putts,

and just three putts, so it was a kick in the teeth, that finish. On

the back nine, it would have been there yesterday as well. Is it

coincidence or is it tiring out there, tough conditions? You play

the front nine downwind and the back nine into the wind, and it's harder.

You have to get precise tee shots and you end up not getting it to 15,

20 feet but 30 or 40. I had a good tee shot of 16 and it four iron in

there, and I ended up hitting a 3-putt by bogey. You want a good

number you got to go out in three or 4-under. Georgia, topping a shot on

16. Gets a nice bounce. She's not going to have a whole lot left. I

think there will some anger into that one. That's what adrenaline can

do for you. It's almost too far, she's let herself an awkward pitch.

This is the third shot of Lexi Thompson. Maybe still a birdie on

the way. Good line. That's the longest drive

we've seen down here on this 17th hole today. Yes, and she is one of

the longest on the LPGA, and Georgia was way longer than she was.

Sometimes it's not good to be too long, because a little touchy shot

like that becomes so much more difficult, but she handled it quite

nicely. Lexi Thompson having a birdie putt. Going very well today.

This is six birdies in a row, if she can make this. Just looked like she

came across a bit and didn't get the run. Georgia on 17. I think she'd

love to get a birdie to get her back from having bogeyed 16. Having an

amazing round, going 9-under. The leader by one.

155 -- 151 yards for Thompson, 7-iron.

Good shot. Georgia is aiming for a second shot on 18. Having a fabulous

round at 5-under. Looked like it came over a little bit. A little bit

left, but no problems. Coming back and rolling in, giving a nice chance

for a birdie on 18. Can Lexi Thompson make her sixth birdie on

this last nine? This to be tying for the lead. Good putt, but not good

enough. She has to settle for par. Remaining at 8-under. Georgia Hall

for a birdie. She had to settle for it. A very

good round today, 5-under. 9-under total. Leader in the clubhouse by

one. That confirms the 67 from Georgia

Hall, and a 1-stroke lead at the moment over Lexi Thompson. She's

speaking to us. You looked composed. How do you feel going round the

links? I'm quite confident, playing well at the moment, so trying to

keep pushing. The last few holes, I was a bit nervous. But I got used to

it, which was fine. Hopefully I can do even better at the weekend. We'll

have to see. Coming into the Championship, you know you are up

against the best. Does that motivates you? Yeah, it's great to

play against the best players in the world. This is my fifth British

Open, and I love links golf, and I had a good last few months, being up

there quite a few times. Hopefully I can stay up there at the weekend.

Lexi Thompson on her second shot on 17, playing quite smart, I think.

She laid herself quite a way back to be able to get a good shot in. A lot

of them have been a little too close.

Second consecutive birdie for her. An Englishwoman based in America,

Jodi Ewart Shadoff. 3-under for today. Birdie chance for Lexi

Thompson. She has holed another! Is back nine is special, six birdies on

it. Currently sharing the lead. Charley Hull, out of the divot on

17. Seemed a good connection. And that's a very, very fine golf shot

from the young Englishwoman. A great tee shot put tickled on its last

role into a very nasty lie, and full steam ahead.

Another fine shot. A spectacular inward nine so far by Lexi Thompson.

It's been something special after a slightly lacklustre opening nine.

The pin on a Little Richard macro on the left side of the green. -- on a

little ridge. Very nice. On a little ledge, with half a chance of making

another birdie. Watch the size of this divot. Beating right down on

the ball. The club almost stops. Unbelievable! Look at the shaft and

the clubface. It doesn't turn over. Very strong to be able to do that.

Shanshan Feng, ramming one into the back of the cup. Struggling

yesterday, but not today. 6-under. Lexi Thompson certainly had her

putting boots on in this round. She has this to take the outright lead

at 10-under. This is for her seventh birdie on this inward nine at

Kingsbarns. A little left to right. It's just swung across the face of

the hole. But that was a superb round. Out in 38, back in 31, 68 and

9-under par. Birdie putt for Charley Hull after a wonderful second. In

she goes. A little fist pump. She moves to 5-under par. A jaunty

stride back. Moriya Jutanugarn, bogey at the

last, round in 77, but all the damage was done at the 12th, the par

free. I don't know how she managed it, but she took nine. Defending

champion going to miss the cut. A nice day for Lexi Thompson, a bad

opening nine, but currently at 9-under, joint leader. What a start

that back nine, quite sensational. It was a bit windy today but it

didn't seem to affect you. The first few holes, I was like, this is

tougher than yesterday, but then it calmed down, so it was nice

conditions coming in. And you met some wild life on the 15th green.

That fee was massive! I heard it. It was buzzing. It landed somewhere,

and that's the worst sound for the I figured if I just talked it would go

away. It's not used to seeing sunglasses. It's mainly to keep my

head down. Plenty of loft on her club for the approach to the 18th.

Charley Hull. Not quite enough. There's a little bluff, a little

ridge, a fall from. It might clamber over that. Jodi Ewart Shadoff, after

a lovely tee shot, heating it up the 16th green. Can she make it on a

little plateau? It's another six inches.

Can Charley Hull find a final flourish? Birdied 17. That 1's a

little light. Just giving you a look at the little

tier that she's got to come up. A complete misjudgement. She had a

couple... Well, they are always unnecessary three putts. A little

tester here, Maureen. Is going to move a bit from her right. A lovely

way to finish. She holed one a bit shorter than that on the last five

birdie solid par to finish with. And there is Charley Hull, 68, 70 one.

This is crucial for the momentum of Jodi Ewart Shadoff, par putt. Very

well holed. Second shot coming up a cut short on the front of the green,

but that was a good two putt. Charley Hull still four shots back

from the clubhouse leaders, and another English talent is moving

along nicely. Jodi Ewart Shadoff, with 67 yesterday, following that up

with 70 today. In handling the ball well. A couple of things clicked at

the start of the week, and I've got some confidence with my putting.

I've been in this position before at Majors, so I'm going to try and use

that for the weekend. It's a big couple of weeks with the Solheim Cup

on the horizon. Annika Sorenstam is watching. Is that at the back of

your mind, that a good performance could set you up for that? My number

one hole this year is to make the Solheim Cup team. I've played before

and it's an amazing experience, so I wanted to be on the team. I have to

keep my mind in this week and make sure I finished strongest weekend.

At the moment, Jodi Ewart Shadoff is sitting in an automatic selection

place for the Solheim Cup. England's Georgia Hall leads the way, looking

to make the way for the first time as one of potentially five

Englishwoman to qualify. Earlier, I spoke to the woman with the big

decisions to make, Solheim Cup captain Annika Sorenstam, who is no

stranger to winning this event, victorious over at the links of

royal Lytham Saint Arms in 2004. Is close to the tournament and you are

looking for players playing well at this moment, so it's a big week for

them, getting a chance to get some point and move up the rankings. It's

getting quite exciting. Some of the players that should be there already

are playing well this week, Georgia Hall, Charley Hull. It must be

great, and a boost to see them doing well. It is, and we look for the

yellow and blue as well this week, and nice to see them play well. It's

always fun to find form when you need to. I've got my fingers crossed

for them, but a long way to go. Somebody needing a pig from yourself

is Anna. She's been struggling from illness. It must be good to see her

back and playing well. When she told me the news a few weeks ago, I

biggest concern was, how are you feeling? Health is the most

important. Forget about golf and playing Majors, focus on your

health. I want you to be happy and playing with it. She says she was

going to take a few weeks and see what happens. We said, don't worry

about the mere -- about the amount of tournament you have to play, I

just want you to be happy. But she's apprised me, to be here and to see

her playing well, that's better. I know that Europe will be underdogs

in the Solheim Cup, but how much confidence do you have in the team

that you can put together that you can surprise people? I've been lucky

to play in a few and to be vice captain in a few, and it's always an

honour. We'll see how it goes for the I've been enjoying this journey,

getting to know some of these players, and will going to go and

have a good time and play our best. All the best out there. Enjoy your

week. Thank you for speaking to us. Overnight leader Michelle Wie was

heading into day two of a major leading for the first time since

2014, but it wasn't to be quite the sparkling start she was looking for.

Bogeys at the 3rd and fifth moved her back down the leaderboard. Mel

Reid took advantage of the nine conditions yesterday, but it was

more of an endurance test today. Two bogeys and two birdies on the card

so far, level for the day with six holes left to play. LPGA rookie Ali

McDonald is competing on a links course for the second time, but it

isn't slowing down. This is for eagle on the 11th. It wouldn't go

this time, but it would drop for a fourth birdie on the bounce. Ali

McDonald making a real name for herself so far this week. She is now

a shot off the clubhouse leaders. Michelle Wie is dropped to 6-under

par, three shots of the pace setters. Let's get back out there.

Mel Reid at the 12th. 5-under. Missed a handful of very short

putts. That's a beautiful shot. Look at the spin on that. That was stone

dead a moment ago. Now it's a yard, four or five feet away. Good shot

though. This is Ali McDonald from the United States. She has this to

join the leaders. Oh! A touch more pace and she had it will stop

putatively rolled. -- and she added. Putatively rolled. A pilot is

trundling round up there, must be a bit lonely but a bit of farmland to

our left. When I first came and saw this, it was all farmland right down

to the shore, cabbages and spuds, and with a lot of earth moving they

have created this attractive course. Mel Reid for a birdie. She holed a

nice putt on the last green. She has missed a handful of five footers.

She's not putting with any confidence at all. Michelle Wie,

good drive. Oh, up she goes, over the wall. Looking good, it's online.

Oh, it won't make it. Just caught the back of the bunker. Taking a

yard or two off it. In-Kyung Kim, playing well this

year. Finished ninth last week, so enjoying a good run of form. She had

a good run at it. Only going to be a par, so she stays at 7-under, two

shots behind the leaders. Over the cabbages and down to the green and,

when the tide is in, it's even prettier. With a putter from long

range, we shall we. A very popular shot in Scotland. And that's not

going to end up to that, I can tell you right now. A gem! You don't

usually miss those. Look at the ball, it leaps up. You think it hugs

the ground all the time. Beautiful, birdie, birdie all the way, well

played. Third shot on the par-5, just left of the green. This isn't

easy. Just send it about eight yards. Played it well. Oh, a bit

unlucky. Stuck on her a bit. Was never going to run far. That for a

par-5. Leona Maguire, leading Konate, four

under. Shot into the 13th. -- a leading amateur. Beauty. Oh yes! A

super little shot. At the moment, the cut is on minus one. 65 players

and ties. So an important putt for Lydia Ko, currently on plus one. She

has had an adventurous route up this par-5 and, at the end of

proceedings, this could be very important indeed. Well, she is equal

to the task. That was a great save. Anna Nordqvist. Second at the 13th,

6-under par. McDonald, 8-under par, chasing the

leaders. Hurry, she is urging it on. And it has obeyed the command. Good

shot. Right-to-left putt from Nordqvist.

Great putt there. She is hanging in there. Let's have a squint down the

leaderboard. Let's look at Georgia Hall's action

from this morning. There was some great stuff. This was her tee shot

at the 14th. Awkward front pin of 170 yards today. It was quite a

pleasant morning. Then she moved to the 15th. The pace was just right.

So another birdie there. That took her to 6-under par. The 17th tee was

a little bit of "Take this". Watch how far it goes down the slope,

round the corner of the dogleg. It was running like Seb Coe on a good

day. She was round in a splendid 67 for a

total of 9-under par. A little tiddler for Maguire. Well

done. Ally McDonald has a birdie putt to

join the leaders. She doesn't get it all the way there. First full season

of the LPGA Tour. Michelle Wie here on the 13th.

Important to get it up all the way, and she does. Very nice shot. Back

foot, she is drilling this in. My goodness, look at the shaft and the

clubface. And to hold its square like that. She is a very strong

player. How long are her joints going to last with that pressure?

153 yards from Lydia Ko. That is what faces her on the right. Watch

this, it is so simple. She needs to put in another gear.

Maybe this is where it starts. It has been one of those days. We

haven't seen much sunshine. It's been a bit overcast. No real rain

this morning, but some heavy showers this afternoon. If you get one or

the other, it's not so bad. It is when you get a combination of wind

and rain that it is nasty. This is a very special spot in the world.

Michelle Wie for birdie on 13. Yesterday, she seemed to make

everything from everywhere. Interesting, the way she marks the

ball. She has a line on it and a big black dot. Just a couple behind for

Michelle Wie. This has got to be very soft for

Lydia Ko. Birdie chance at the 13th, and she could do with it.

Well, I don't know what happened there. That was a bizarre shot. Choi

at the 8th, Pop Idol. -- par-5. Well done.

You don't want that backspin. It always shows up. After that odd

shot, her third shot. Trying to play with the contours of the green and

does a nice job. McDonald at the 18th. No. One dropped shot at the

1st hole and then five birdies. Two competitive rounds on the

course. You are through to the weekend. Have your expectations

changed of what you can do over the weekend? Well, I just trust me and I

know the work I have put in, so I know what I am capable of. It's a

challenge. You have to take it one hole at a time, but I look forward

to the challenge. I am playing 36 more this weekend and I will give it

my best shot. Leona Maguire here on 16. Just a

lack of pace on that one. Jutanugarn, 6-under. Lydia Ko,

fighting for her place. She has three holes to do something. Very

classy. Ariya Jutanugarn. Sounded like a

sweet strike at the 14th, and it was.

A cake in -- IK Kim. Nicely done. Won a couple of times on the Elbe

GPA Tour. This is the elder sister of the defending champion, who will

not be here for the weekend. But the family honour is being upheld by

Maria. Anna Nordqvist has made her way to

the 17th, but can was there before her earlier in the week. -- Ken was

there before her. Just to produce a producer 17th green is this gully,

destroying its area. This bank guards the 17th green. I am not sure

if you pitch it into the bank, whether it will come back to you or

not. This one has taken a bit of an adventure. I am not going to waste

golf balls. So if you pitch short of the 17th green, you are almost

certain to roll back into the ditch. The green is a narrow putting

surface. If you look at the size of the green, it is shallow. And the

green is divided into two sections by this little ridge that runs

through the centre. There is a high left under no right. If you trickle

over the back of the green, you might get a bit of luck and it comes

trickling back to you. Shallow green. This is a tough hole. And

don't forget the ditch. You were a bit out of breath there, Ken,

running up that hill! Now, here is Nordqvist, going over the ditch, or

as we would say in Scotland, burn. Holding her round together very

well. She is suffering from a glandular fever type of illness,

lacking in energy. Lydia Ko. Needs a birdie. Good effort.

Some good scoring this afternoon, despite the occasional heavy shower.

That tells you how she feels about her day. Nordqvist needs a

touchy-feely one here. There have been a number of longest

putts today. A bit of sunshine today, but mainly cloudy. If you are

a painter, you would like that. Mel Reid. She will hopefully remain at

5-under. Had a few problems missing a couple of short ones earlier

today. A bit of house work left to be done.

Slightly awkward stance for Michelle. Maintain her balance well.

Oh, I'm afraid that has found Ken's burn. That's a very fast flowing

burn. Couple of deep breaths. Oh, my goodness, that was a brave one. She

rammed it in. Nicely done. Time for a hot bath. 2009 Open champion,

Catriona Matthew. Her work here is not finished this weekend. She is

the vice captain on the Solheim Cup team and while she will still be

tried to get a pic herself, she will no doubt be consulting with an Anker

Sorensen and the other captains when the team is announced on Sunday.

Nordqvist has let it leak on the left breeze. A little unlucky.

Michelle Wie knocked her second into the burn. Did you have a number in

mind, Ken, when you were dropping? You don't want to get too close. She

went just far enough back. To the final hole. Leona Maguire, up the

slope. Michelle hold a number of these yesterday in that fine 64, but

this is a fickle game. Just a little shy. Final green, Nordqvist. Wow,

that is an uncharacteristic but from her. Just stretching the old pins.

Lydia Ko has had 15 pars and one birdie today and she needs one more

birdie to be here for the weekend. This could be it. She has had a bit

of a read from Michelle Wie. And what a great learner she is.

Lydia Ko has been left with 100 yards to go for her third.

A classy shot from a classy player. Hello! One for the family album.

Well, life on the links was easy for Michelle Wie yesterday. It has been

a little more challenging today. A simple bit of farmland has been

turned into a very dramatic golf course. Ko showed great heart on the

last green, hole in one is a bit longer than this. Can she do it

again? Yes, well done. Twice in a row. Had to do it, did it. Michelle

Wie, just tidying up. What a difference from yesterday. The

equivalent now of two rounds of 70. Wow. IK Kim for eagle. Hello!

Beautifully done. In glorious isolation out at the 11th. She gets

an eagle and steps into the lead, and only we know.

For much of the day, we delighted in the play of Lexi Thompson. Then this

happened on 12, the par-3. Perfect length. She is getting the hang of

things now. On 13, this was her approach. 32 yards on the green, but

she is hunting the flags and that was a tap in birdie. That is four in

a row. And she's not finished yet. The scenic par-3, 14th. Once again,

just catching the right edge. And the game of golf is suddenly very

easy. On to 17, coming towards the end of

her round. That would yield a sixth birdie 68 and a total of 9-under

par. Choi, second at the 13th. Here comes the magic tangerine. And

again, a beauty. The long hitting Dutchwoman, Vandamme, finding an

accurate one here. Choi. You have to be careful not to get any moisture

on the blade of the putter here. Oh! There is one of the former US

champions in the field, In Gee Chun. What a way to finish. A few

oystercatchers out there, looking for their lunch. It really is a

beautiful part of the country, this 14th tee in the middle of the

picture. Lovely, sandy beaches and often not a soul in sight.

It has turned a little nasty again in the last 20 minutes. Van Dam

still has nine holes to play. Five birdies are on the card already for

Jutanugarn against one bogey. It has been impressive play in these

increasingly damp conditions. And that is a goodie. And a great chance

of a closing birdie here. It is one of these evenings when you are just

keen to get finished. Sophie Lamb, the English champion, having a great

run of form. And that is improving. Right up there in a tussle with the

Leona Maguire. Jutanugarn has this for a closing birdie. I thought she

had it. But it is very fine play anyway.

Moriya Jutanugarn is with a league. Your sister won the Championship

last year. How much of an inspiration has that been for you?

Well, we have been doing everything together. Of course, when she gets

success, we are close, so I am proud of her and happy with what she did.

Also, I am just trying to keep up. She actually gives me a lot of

things. We learn from each other. You will have to fly the family flag

this weekend because she hasn't made the cut. Do you feel a sense of

responsibility to try and bring this Championship back to the family

home? Well, I try and play my best. I always tell everybody my goal is

to win my first tournament. I just want to enjoy the golf course. It is

very pretty out here. We wish you all the best. I will let you get

inside before you get soaked! STUDIO: The rain continued to fall

at Kingsbarns, but it didn't bother IK Kim. Another birdie opportunity

at the par-4 17th. And it would drop to leave her two clear off the

field. Kim has already won twice on the LPGA this season and she leads

at the halfway stage of the Women's British Open. A superb couple of

days or so for England's Georgia Hall, the closest chaser alongside

world number two Lexi Thompson. A big day to come tomorrow for many

on the lakes, but also for those competing in the World Athletics

Championships. Well, it's been a testing day at

Kingsbarns, bought a leaderboard we have going into the weekend. South

Korea's IK Kim with the slenderest of Leeds, but they are queueing up

behind her and it's all to play for. Should be good fun over the weekend.

Hope to see you tomorrow.