Hall ready for weekend challenge

A 'very confident' Georgia Hall was pleased to take trickier pin positions and a mishap at the 15th in her stride as she produced another fine round at Carnoustie to enter the weekend firmly in contention to secure her second AIG Women’s Open title.

The 2018 Champion was out early with Megan Khang and Louise Duncan and backed up Thursday's 68 with a three-under-par round of 69 to share the lunchtime clubhouse lead with Mina Harigae.

Three front-nine birdies got the 25-year-old’s day off to a bright start and she had the outright lead heading down the 15th, only for a double-bogey to set her back.

But Hall recovered to par the difficult final three holes and put herself in prime position for a weekend challenge.

“I thought I played better than yesterday, a bit more consistent,” she said.

“The pins were a little bit harder today, more tucked behind bunkers, so I’m very happy with how I’ve done.

“A double bogey with the three hardest holes to play is not ideal! I tried to stay as patient as possible, hit a good shot off 16 and managed to par my way in, so I was happy with that.”

Hall has flourished in still Carnoustie conditions over the first two days but she is not one to fear the breeze picking up.

A links specialist who grew up on the coast in Bournemouth, Hall believes her knowhow could prove pivotal should the leaderboard stay so congested amid the forecast wind.

“There’s still not a lot of wind but I’ve heard it’s supposed to blow a lot tomorrow,” she said.

“It will be a good test of golf. A lot of the Americans and other players, they don't play in the wind quite as much but at the same time they are extremely good golfers.

“I’m very confident, it’s really nice to be in this position and I feel I’m playing well. I’ll try and put two more good rounds in and see where I end up.”

All three of the 7.14am starters were in fine form on Friday, with Megan Khang’s 66 - the best round of the Championship so far – seeing the American make the cut.

Louise Duncan didn’t quite match the heights of her opening-day 68 but remains in contention at -3 entering the weekend and Hall can see something of herself in the 21-year-old Scot.

"I think she's a lot like me,” she said. “Quite quiet, just lets her golf do the talking.

“She's a very natural golfer. She just goes up and hits it which I think is a lot like me, too. She's an amazing talent and it was really nice to play with her.”