In Gee Chun holds a one-shot lead going into the weekend's action at the AIG Women's Open

IN GEE CHUN CLAIMS HALFWAY LEAD AT AIG WOMEN’S OPEN

In Gee Chun is chasing her fourth major title after claiming a narrow lead after the second day of the AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield. In blustery conditions over the East Lothian links, the Korean signed for a five-under 66 and a 36-hole total of eight-under-par.

The 27-year-old, who won the Women’s PGA Championship in June to add to her 2015 US Women’s Open and 2016 Evian Championship titles, racked up four birdies in a brilliant back nine of 31.

In Gee Chun covered Muirfield’s back nine in just 31 shots en route to taking the 36-hole lead

Chun has a one-shot advantage over South African Ashleigh Buhai and Swede Madelene Sagstrom as the international field chase the prestigious title in the first-ever staging of the Championship at Muirfield. Inbee Park, the 2015 champion, sits a stroke further back at six-under alone in fourth place, with Australian Hannah Green and Miyuu Yamashita from Japan on five-under.

Sagstrom, who shared the runner-up spot at the AIG Women’s Open at Carnoustie last year, again found links golf to her liking. The 29-year-old recorded eight birdies in a sparkling round of six-under-par 65 that included back-to-back birdies to finish.

Buhai briefly led the field after three birdies and an eagle at the par-5 5th in her opening six holes. A bogey at the last saw the 33-year-old drop into a tie for second with Sagstrom.  Park is well-placed after her 67 on day two. Five birdies, including one on the 18th, were offset with just one bogey for the 34-year-old Korean.

France’s Celine Boutier is in a share of seventh place on four-under alongside Australian pair Minjee Lee and Steph Kyriacou, as well as first round leader Hinako Shibuno, who added a disappointing 74 to her opening 65.

Scotland’s Louise Duncan, two strokes behind overnight, signed for a two-over-par 73. Three dropped shots in-a-row from the sixth damaged her hopes, but the 22-year-old is still well-placed inside the top-20. Duncan and Ireland’s Leona Maguire are the leading players from Great Britain and Ireland in the field, both on two-under-par.

The cut for the top 65 players and ties fell at three-over-par, with exactly 65 progressing. Defending champion Anna Nordqvist was among those to miss out at four-over-par, as did the 2020 winner Sophia Popov on the same score. Local favourite and past champion Catriona Matthew also failed to progress to the weekend after finishing on seven-over.

For all the latest scores from the AIG Women’s Open, click here.