Only one player under par, Lydia Ko returns on top form and caddyless golf works a treat for Lindsey Weaver.
Image: Getty Images
The weather wasn’t kind to the players on Day Two of the 2020 AIG Women’s Open.
The morning brought torrential rain, and it wasn’t long before the wind started up again, too.
Conditions were difficult and it meant getting par or under par was quite an amazing achievement.
Going into Round 3 Dani Holmqvist leads as the only player under par at –1, and the 32-year-old's rollercoaster of a round included four birdies and three bogeys.
She said: “I felt like it was brutal out there. I’m happy to get it under par. We had a lot of crosswinds."
Just one stroke behind her is Austin Ernst, 2016 winner Ariya Jutanugarn and yesterday's leader Sophia Popov, with Lydia Ko, Emily Pederson and Lindsey Weaver amongst those at T4.
Part of the second group out, American Austin faced some of the worst of today's weather.
“Yesterday it was windier,” she explained.
“We played the first few holes today with not quite as much wind, but then the rain picked up and it rained really hard, and then the wind came with the rain and it was brutal. It was really tough playing that stretch probably from about six to 12.”
Those making the cut of 65 and ties include Brits Georgia Hall, Michele Thompson and Catriona Matthew.
Other talking points from the second day include...
Charley, Georgia and Catriona slip down the leaderboard
50-year-old Catriona Matthew was the surprise success of Round 1 with an even finish just one shot behind the lead.
But during Round 2 she slipped down the leaderboard that wasn't helped by a double bogey on the 12th.
Charley Hull also really struggled finishing +13 and missing the cut.
Meanwhile, Georgia Hall ended +7 making the cut but still with a long way to go if she wants to be in with a chance of lifting the trophy this weekend.
Where was Lindsey Weaver’s caddie?
The American star finished +1 (72) but the main thing everyone was talking about was her lack of caddy. Also her 10-year old push trolley that wasn’t even electric.
She is one of five players who has chosen to go it alone this week, amid heightened COVID-19 restrictions,
Speaking after her round she said: “I feel like it’s kind of back to the basics. This is how junior golf was. This is how college golf was and on the Symetra Tour when I played there for a year. I mean, it's still just golf. Not much has really changed.
“There’s no one to fight with, no one to argue with, whatever I say is the final decision, obviously!”
The only set back was when her push cart toppled into her bunker on the first day and a camera guy had to help her get it out.
"Well, I was in the bunker, unfortunately, and so I had to chip out sideways. My push cart was -- my push cart is back here and all of a sudden it's in a different bunker. Yeah, that's like my worst nightmare come through. She's okay. Just had to dust off a lot of sand. It's all right."
Awks.
Lydia Ko returns to full strength
After being beaten by Danielle Kang at the LPGA Marathon Classic, Lydia Ko was back on form.
She finished T4 and +1 and afterwards she told us that her confidence was building with every competitive round.
"It's like people always say, that one good shot that you feel, that's the shot I want to emulate on the next hole or tomorrow.
"The more times I put myself in contention or in a good position it gives me confidence about my game. Sean (Foley) has been trying to get me to swing aggressively and freely and I feel like I hit it better that way. Sometimes it's easier said than done, but you know, I've just got to go out there and not worry about it and just believe in myself."
Anna Nordqvist conquers the Postage Stamp
It’s one of the most famous holes in the world, and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist birdied the infamous par-3 8th hole at Royal Troon.
She finished T11 at the end of the second day, so we're not totally ruling her out yet as a contender for the final.
The competition is hotting up going into the weekend, and with more rain forecast over the next two days it's not going to be an easy ride.
We say bring on the drama.
You can see the full scoreboard HERE.
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