Karrie Webb has missed the cut at the British Open but an Australian at the other end of her career is well in contention at the midway point.
Perth teenager Minjee Lee carded a second-round even-par 72 in horrendous weather at Turnberry on Friday to sit in a tie for seventh at three-under overall, four shots behind leader Suzann Pettersen.
Bogeys on the 17th and 18th were costly but the 19-year-old will be feeling upbeat she can make a good run at winning her first major just over two months since claiming her maiden LPGA victory at the Kingsmill Championship.
It was a far different story for Webb, the 40-year-old veteran who has won the Open title three times including at Turnberry in 2002.
The Queensland followed up her opening round 80 – which placed her second-last – with a 75 to finish at 11-over, well back from the cut of five-over.
Only two other Australians will be around for the weekend.
Victorian Stacey Keating (76) is tied for 41st at three-over and 19-year-old amateur Su-Hyun Oh (72) is two shots further back.
Rebecca Artis (82) at 10-over and Sarah Kemp (82) at 17-over won’t be around for the weekend.
Norwegian Pettersen signed for a 69 on a day when wind and rain made it miserable for players and fans.
The 33-year-old managed to carve four birdies out of her round and finished on an impressive seven-under par 137.
New Zealander Lydia Ko (73), the world No.2, Ryu So Yeon (72), the 2011 US Women’s Open champion and Taiwan’s Teresa Lu (71) were two shots back in joint second.
Pettersen, a two-time major winner, feels invigorated this season following a switch in coach from David Leadbetter to Butch Harmon, the Las Vegas guru who steered Tiger Woods through his hugely successful early years as a professional.
“It was really tough out there today but I played very solid,” said Pettersen.
“I felt I was in control of everything. This ranks pretty high as a good round of golf.
“I always felt I had a different gear in my body and going to Butch was the right thing. He has made technical changes and it is just much easier. I don’t feel like the swing thoughts change from day to day.
“It’s very consistent. It’s nice to have somebody that can really push me. Butch has pushed me quite a lot and I feel that some of my best golf is still ahead of me.”
Last week, Pettersen finished runner-up in the Scottish Open at the nearby Dundonald Links and she is seeking to go one better on Sunday.
Pettersen’s first major was the 2007 LPGA Championship and she added the Evian Championship two years ago.
She’s got a decent record in the British Open with top five finishes in the last two years.
The first round leader, Korea’s Kim Hyo Joo followed her 65 with a 78 for one under par.
World number one Park Inbee wasn’t too delighted with a 73, but the South Korean is still well in the hunt on two under par.
Michelle Wie was heading for the exit after failing to get past the 13th hole.
At ten over par for the round and 14 over for the tournament, last year’s US Open champion retired with an ankle injury.
Last year’s victor Mo Martin also missed out.
After a promising opening 70, the American slumped to a second day 80.
