English player back on two under at the halfway stage
Maya Yamashita takes grip of tournament on 11 under
Seaside golf can meddle with the most patient of characters. Lottie Woad had played herself firmly into the second-round mix at this Women’s Open at five under par, but the 16th at Royal Porthcawl was to bite back at English golf’s golden girl.
Woad’s second shot found trouble – it took Lydia Ko, Woad’s playing partner, to find the ball – with her third swing barely causing any movement whatsoever. Woad called for a referee, plus a second opinion, in her belief that her ball was now embedded and worthy of free relief. With the claims refused, she had to declare the ball unplayable. This grisly affair eventually culminated in a triple-bogey seven and a round of 70 which for so long had looked like further demonstrating Woad’s rapid ascent to the summit of her sport.
“There was a lot more good in it than bad,” said Woad. “I played really well for 17 holes, just that one hole cost me a bit.
