Catriona Matthew, Giulia Sergas shoot 67s to share 2nd-round lead at Women’s British Open

Matthew, Sergas share lead at Women’s British Open

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — Catriona Matthew of Scotland hit a hole in one in a 5-under 67 Friday to share the second-round lead with Giulia Sergas of Italy at the Women’s British Open.

Sergas also shot 67 after making five birdies five on the back nine. Both players totaled 3-under 141 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes links course.

“I like them. They have personality,” Sergas said of links courses. “They are not boring, but you have to accept the bad bounces. You have to play them aggressively. If you don’t, they will eat you up.”

Matthew eagled the 11th and followed up with an ace on the 12th. She then made four more birdies against a lone bogey for a course-record back nine of 7-under 30.

“It was certainly easier than yesterday,” Matthew said, referring to less wind. “This was one of my best nines. It may have been easier but you still have to make shots.”

Yuko Mitsuka (71) was a shot back in third. Song-Hee Kim (73) was at 143, a stroke ahead of Yani Tseng (70) and Christina Kim (71).

First-round leader Sandra Gal of Germany (80) and Angela Stanford (76), who was tied for second Thursday, had disappointing rounds.

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa dropped all five shots on the front nine before finishing with a 77 at 8 over. But she’s still certain to make the cut.

“At least I played the back nine in level par. I can take that into tomorrow,” the Mexican said.

Cristie Kerr, the leader of the LPGA money list, jarred her wrist playing out of a divot at the sixth and went for treatment after her round of 71.

“Two rounds in the 60s and who knows,” she said.

Paula Creamer shot 74 and Michelle Wie had a 75. Creamer, who made no birdies in her opening 75, had to wait until the 11th hole Friday for her first.

“They were two completely different days with the wind,” Creamer said. “I never got off to the right start with my putter and it seemed like the hole was this small.

“It was blowing, then it would stop, then it was really windy. It was all over the place.”

Wie took two to get out of a fairway bunker at the last hole before double bogeying.

“I thought I could get it out but the lip was higher than I realized,” Wie said. “I missed so many birdie putts of around 9 feet.”

Wie found a few bunkers, just as she had in her opening round.

“There are so many of them out there, you’re bound to be in some of them,” she said.