Ashleigh Buhai extends its lead on Day 2 of the British Open
MILTON KEYNES, England – Ashleigh Buhai has extended its surprising lead over the Women's British Open to three shots on Friday and one bogey-free five-under-par shoot 67 in the second round.
Buhai, a 30-year-old South African who has never won the LPGA tour, birdied four of the last eight holes to finish the day 12-under before the tournament. Her best finish in the British Open is a draw for the 30th in 2017.
"I'm not trying to keep thinking it's a major. It's just another tournament," said Buhai, who after the first round had a head start. "I just keep trying to do what I have done in recent weeks. I have kept the errors out of the past two days."
Only in second place at nine o'clock was Hinako Shibuno, a 20- year old rookie on the LPGA of Japan Tour making her debut on the LPGA tour and her first appearance in a big championship.
"I just wanted to get the prize. That's all," said Shibuno, who year two wins in Japan and is in 46th place in the world.
Shibuno, who shot 66 on Thursday, had a 69 on Friday and led much of the afternoon and wowing spectators at Woburn Golf Club with its fearless game.
The American Lizette Salas finished third in eight. She shot the first four holes on her way to a bogey-free 67.
"Great day," Salas said.
Bronte Law, the English top player at number 19, also shot 67 and was four shots back, as did Céline Boutier, second grade Sung Hyun Park, Caroline Masson and Charley Hull, who plays at her home court. Boutier had the lowest lap of the day, a 66.
The American Danielle Kang, who took the lead behind the lap, had a disappointing 72 on Friday and was six shots back.
"I don't know, nothing felt yesterday," Kang said. “I think that today was one of those bad days, and yesterday was the day that everything comes together. But I know what I'm capable of. Even if I play poorly, I know that I can give myself opportunities.
The defending champion, Georgia Hall of England, was also six under of a 69, along with Ariya Jutanugarn from Thailand (70), Carlota Ciganda from Spain (69) and the highest ranked Ko Jin-young from South Korea, who was frustrated after a 70. Ko is looking for her third major title of the year after winning the Evian championship in France last week.