Lee leads the way as Charley Hull lurks

Mirim Lee retained her lead at the top of the Ricoh Women’s British Open leaderboard after a second round 71, but has a host of names chasing her down.

Lee started the day on 10-under-par after an incredible first round 62, and after a couple of early birdies, she reached 12-under-par. Another birdie sandwiched by two bogeys on the back-nine meant she finished at 11-under-par heading into the weekend.

WOBURN, ENGLAND - JULY 29: Mirim Lee of Korea hits her second shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at Woburn Golf Club on July 29, 2016 in Woburn, England. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Shanshan Feng is only one shot behind after an impressive second round 68 which included birdies at 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 & 18 and only two bogeys. Also on 10-under-par is the ever improving Ariya Jutanugurn, who consolidated her first round of 65 with a impressive second round 69.

Round of the day went to Catriona Matthew, who shot a bogey free round of 65 and finds herself only two shots off the lead. A great round for the 46-year-old Scot with seven birdies including one of only 12 to be made at the difficult par-3 14th hole. Matthew will play in the penultimate group on Saturday alongside Ariya Jutanugum.

Local favourite Charley Hull showed her grit to grind out a solid round of 70, to keep herself in contention heading into the weekend. Starting the day on 3-under-par Hull made four birdies in a row and five in the space of six holes. A late bogey slowed her down but she will be feeling confident heading into the weekend.

What about the world number one and two? Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson find themselves even and ten shots off the lead respectively after failing to shoot anything spectacular during their second rounds. But being the best two golfers in the world, you cannot rule them out mounting a big challenge on Saturday.

American Lexi Thompson (-5) and Dane Nicole Broch Larsen (-4) shot impressive second rounds to get themselves back within seven and six shots respectively. Amateur Bronte Law impressed yet again with another solid round of 70 and goes into the weekend on 4-under-par.

Elsewhere on the course Cheyenne Woods (+8), Michelle Wie (+5), Paula Creamer (+5), Suzann Pettersen (+3) and Amy Boulden (+3) all failed to make the cut and will be heading home early after a difficult first two days at Woburn.