Hinako Shibuno birdied the ultimate gap on Friday to keep up a two-shot lead on the Women’s Scottish Open after a 4-under 68 within the second spherical.

The Japanese participant began her spherical with a bogey however was flawless after that with 5 birdies total for a 12-under whole of 132.

“I’m very sad about the three-putt at the first hole,” mentioned the 24-year-old Shibuno, who gained the Women’s British Open in 2019. “The wind was getting weaker and weaker, but there was still some wind, and it was very difficult for me.”

Maja Stark of Sweden had the perfect spherical of the day to surge into second place after a 7-under 65 that included 5 straight birdies on the again 9. That got here after she struggled with a persistent headache on the entrance 9.

“I had a really frustrating headache on the first six holes,” Stark mentioned. “I didn’t really care about my game, to be honest. Maybe it was a good thing that I didn’t really pay attention. But then we got that figured out and I started making some putts.”

Celine Boutier of France, who gained the Évian Championship final Sunday, and Sarah Kemp of Australia had been tied for third, one other three pictures again after each shot a 68.