Four-way tie at the top as Georgia Hall contends for second major
What happened on Friday at the Evian Championship?
Maria Torres, Mo Martin, Amy Olson and Mi Hyang Lee share the lead heading into the weekend at the Evian Championship.
But Georgia Hall posted another 68 to sit just two shots behind as she goes in search of back-to-back major championships.
It was another stunning day at the Evian Resort Golf Club, with first-round leader Torres backing up her opening 65 with a two-under 69 in the morning session on Friday.
Also playing in that session was Hall, who has now made just one bogey in 36 holes. She is in perfect position to strike as she looks to make it major number two after winning the British Open last month.
“I don’t really think in numbers. Obviously I want to be leading, but as long as I’m kind of near up there on the final day, then I think 18 holes is a lot of golf,” Hall said.
“You’ve got to be quite straight on this golf course. You’ve got to have everything kind of going good for you on this golf course because it’s quite tight as well. You’ve got to hit fairways. If you don’t hit fairways, some shots you can’t get to the green.”
Olson went out early in the afternoon session and tied Torres’ total with a 65. The lead was then matched again by both Korean M-H Lee and former British Open champion Martin with rounds of 66.
Carlota Ciganda is still right in the hunt, as her one-under-par 70 leaves her just one shot adrift as the Spaniard looks to win her first major.
The leaderboard is jammed just behind the top-five. Brooke Henderson and So Yeon Ryu are tied with Hall on six-under, while Inbee Park and In Gee Chun are within three and four shots respectively.
England’s Charley Hull also got in on the benign scoring conditions with a four-under 67 to leave her five shots back.
It was bad news for Lexi Thompson, however, who was in tears as she fluffed her chip off the final green on the way to missing the cut.
The former world No.1 took time out of the game just last month for personal reasons and, seemingly, all is not okay for the American star.
The world No.1 Sung Hyun Park also will not be around for the weekend, with an opening round 77 proving costly for the Korean.
Best quote
"I'm quite happy with how I played today and it wasn't that stressful out there for me today." @TheAmyRogers chats with @georgiahall96 after her 2nd round 68 @EvianChamp pic.twitter.com/EzGY6j2f0y
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 14, 2018
"I'm just grateful for the opportunity. What else can you ask for? You're in France, playing golf, it's sunny.. I'm just really grateful."
Rookie, Maria Torres continues to lead @EvianChamp. Watch her interview here with @TheAmyRogers: pic.twitter.com/Gjoxv9Upd7
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 14, 2018
Best moments
.@1soyeonryu staying near the top of the leaderboard going into the weekend! She's currently tied for 5th, two shots off the lead @EvianChamp pic.twitter.com/WBQsia4sCt
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 14, 2018
Maria Torres continues to be ? at the @EvianChamp!
Watch highlights from her 2nd round: pic.twitter.com/xRNUPmE1aO
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 14, 2018
.@RICOHWomensBrit winner, @georgiahall96 has back-to-back rounds of 68 to sit at 6-under going into the weekend at the @EvianChamp pic.twitter.com/NTG8zEwx0R
— LPGA (@LPGA) September 14, 2018
