South Korea’s Shin Jiyai stormed into a commanding five-shot halfway lead at the British Open at Royal Liverpool on Saturday but Karrie Webb intends to narrow the gap as the Australian looks to capture her eighth major title.
After all the wind problems that wiped out Friday’s play Shin, eying a second British Open crown, took advantage of the warm, calmer conditions to add a flawless 64 to her opening 71.
The 2008 winner at Sunningdale led on nine under par 135 while fellow South Korean, and playing partner, Park Inbee, was the next best at four under following a 68.
With 36 holes to be played on Sunday, three-time British Open winner Webb and Japan’s Mika Miyazato start in joint third on three under. They both shot 70.
“I’m surprised to be six shots behind at 3 under,” 37-year-old Webb said.
“But I’m happy with the way I played and handled the golf course.”
Webb, who last won the British Open a decade ago, had an eagle at the 16th to go with two pars and two bogeys on the front nine.
“There was no wind today, I wasn’t swinging as well as I would have liked. When the conditions were tougher, it made me fight a little bit and get more creative,” Webb said.
“There’s still 36 holes out there. Tomorrow I’ll try to narrow the gap and see how it goes.”
Shin, a former world No.1, missed a couple of months on Tour earlier in the year when she underwent a wrist operation.
But she then claimed her first title in over two years by defeating American Paula Creamer in a nine-hole play-off last Monday at the Kingsmill Championship on the LPGA Tour.
She shot a nine under par 62 in the first round at Kingsmill, but she reckoned today’s 64 that started with a chip in for eagle and three straight birdies was even better.
“I can’t believe I just did that,” the 24-year-old said.
“My goal this week was to shoot one under par every round.
“But I made such a great start and I didn’t have any bogeys and I didn’t go in any bunkers so it was almost perfect.
“This Championship is so special to me. The win four years ago changed my life.”
World No.1 Yani Tseng is aiming to become the first three-in-a-row winner and, after two rounds of 72 for level par 144, tagging a win at Royal Liverpool onto Birkdale and Carnoustie is still not out of the question.
Lydia Ko, the 15-year-old New Zealand amateur, finished one shot better than Tseng after a 71. She goes into the final 36-holes tied for sixth and set to make even more of an impact on the world game.
Park, regarded as the best putter in the women’s game, showed her all round ability with three birdies and an eagle at the long 18th, her ninth hole.
The cut fell on five over par, and among those on the final mark was one of the joint first round leaders, South Korea’s Kang Haeji as well as Australian Sarah Jane Smith.