Suzann Pettersen played in the third group out Friday morning and escaped the worst of the weather conditions that turned blustery and rainy in the afternoon at Trump Turnberry Resort and turned in a 3-under 69 to take the second-round lead at the RICOH Women’s British Open. Pettersen sits atop the leaderboard at 7-under par and two shots clear of Rolex Rankings No. 2 Lydia Ko, major champion So Yeon Ryu, LPGA winner Teresa Lu and Jin Young Ko of Korea.
The Norway native had four birdies and one bogey on the day. She’s playing for her third-career major championship and first since the 2013 Evian Championship.
“Today was a very solid round of golf,” Pettersen said. “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,” Pettersen added. “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.”
With her first two rounds of 68-69, Pettersen puts herself in nice position for a shot at redemption at this championship. She finished just a shot out of a playoff a year ago and finished in a tie for fourth the year prior. It’s a stark contrast from her 11 prior tries in which her best finish was a tie for 14th.
“I’m getting older. I’m getting wiser. I’m learning. And I guess that’s why this game is so great,” Pettersen said. “Every year you learn something different, how you can kind of maneuver yourself around a golf course. I’m probably playing a bit smarter. I feel links courses, it’s a lot about tee balls.”
Lydia Ko salvaged her round after she followed up three-consecutive bogeys on the back nine with back-to-back
birdies on Nos. 14 and 15 to finish with a 1-over 73. She trails Pettersen by two shots with two rounds to play. The 18-year old positioned herself nicely in her quest to become the youngest major champion in the women’s game.
“I knew that it wasn’t going to be another 66 or 67 that would be the low round of the day,” said Ko. “I saw Suzann’s score and thought, hey, she must have played pretty good. But no, it’s really tough and when you get this kind of weather, you’re grinding out there.”
Only five players broke par on Friday when 52 had sub-par rounds in the first round on Thursday. Maria McBride shot the low round of the day, a 6-under 66 in tough late afternoon conditions. She jumped from T136 to T20.
“I think it’s one of the worst rounds I’ve ever played condition’s wise,” said McBride. “Probably the best I’ve ever played in my career. To shoot that score, knowing obviously that I had to shoot a good score to make the cut.”
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