Pornanong Phatlum shot a bogey-free 67 on Friday and will take a one-shot lead into the weekend at the Ricoh Women’s British Open.
The Thai started the day tied for third at 5 under, but after posting the day’s low round to reach 10-under par, Phatlum’s name appeared atop the big red and white scoreboards at Royal Lytham & St Annes.
“I feel very happy right now. I think the key this week for me, like I’m very confident on my game a lot this week,” said Phatlum.
“So I just try to play my game and try to plan every day get away from the bunker so I can hit like every shot like very good on the round.”
Overnight leader Minjee Lee was cruising along flawlessly at 12-under par through 16 holes, but lost three shots on her final two holes (double bogey-bogey) to post a disappointing 70, and fall back to 9-under par.
The Aussie was tied for second with hometown favorite Georgia Hall, who carded a second-day 68, and Japan’s Mamiko Higa (69).
Tapei’s Teresa Lu shot 69 to reach 8 under and round out the top-five leaders. Koreans Sung Hyun Park (70) and So Yeon Ryu (69) were alone in sixth- and seventh-place, respectively.
TOP 10 LEADERS
POS-PLAYER-TO PAR (TODAY)
1. Pornanong Phatlum -10 (-5)
2. Minjee Lee -9 (-2)
2. Georgia Hall -9 (-4)
2. Mamiko Higa -9 (-3)
5. Teresa Lu -8 (-3)
6. Sung Hyun Park -7 (-2)
7. So Yeon Ryu -6 (-3)
8. Brooke Henderson -5 (-2)
8. Madeline Sagstrom -5 (-2)
8. Florentyna Parker -5 (-2)
8. Mina Harigae -5 (-1)
8. Lydia Ko -5 (-1)
8. Pernilla Lindberg -5 (-4)
ROUND-TWO HIGHLIGHTS
EXIT QUESTION
How has the success of Thai women in golf, how has that been received in Thailand? How has the nation shown its appreciation? Have you felt it?
PORNANONG PHATLUM: I think Moriya and Ariya Jutanugarn they inspire like all the Thai golfers a lot. And so we know like we can do it and we can like win tournaments on tour. So everyone like just try to do like I mean like work more hard.
