Mirim Lee follows her drive from the ninth tee during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at CordeValle Thursday, July 7, 2016.Eric Risberg/The Associated Press
Mirim Lee followed her opening 10-under 62 with a 71 on Friday in the Women's British Open, leaving her a stroke ahead entering the weekend at tree-lined Woburn Golf Club.
A day after matching the tournament record and falling a stroke short of the major championship mark, the 25-year-old South Korean player had three birdies and two bogeys to reach 11-under 133.
"Today, the tee shot was a little bit difficult," Lee said. "I had issues with my tee shot. I think I putted okay. I had a couple of three-putts, but I think with some practice, I can overcome my mistakes."
Lee had two front-nine birdies, bogeyed the par-four 13th, birdied the par-five 15th and bogeyed the par-three 17th on the Marquess course, the hilly, forest layout that is a big change from the seaside links that dominate the tournament rotation.
Three weeks ago at the U.S. Women's Open, Lee opened with a 64, then followed with rounds of 74, 76 and 73 to tie for 11th. The two-time LPGA Tour winner missed the cut in the ANA Inspiration to start the major year, and tied for fourth in the KPMG Women's PGA.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn and China's Shanshan Feng were tied for second. Jutanugarn had a 69. She won three straight events in May. Feng shot 68. South Korea's Ha Na Jang (67) and 46-year-old Scot Catriona Matthew (65) were nine under.
Hamilton's Alena Sharp was the top Canadian at four under after an even round of 72.
Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., (71) was at two under while Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., (72) was at one under. All three Canadians will play on the weekend after finishing above the cut of one over.