MANILA, Philippines — Filipina ace Yuka Saso slowed down with an even 72 in the second round to slide to joint fifth, four shots off new leader Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand Friday in the Women’s Scottish Open in Fife, Scotland.
After a hot 67 and No. 2 position in Round 1, Saso stumbled with three bogeys in the first six holes but clawed back to salvage par on tougher conditions at the Dumbarnie Links.
The reigning US Women’s Open titlist was five-under 139 through 36 holes in the $1.5-million event tied with Kelsey MacDonald (71), Lydia Hall (70), Lee Jeon-Geun (68), Sarah Schmelzel (71), and Ryann O’Toole (71).
Saso and Co. trailed Jutanugarn, who sizzled with a 66 to zoom to the top at nine-under 135, and the second-running troika of Emily Kristine Pedersen (69), Charley Hull (69), and Atthaya Thitikul (70), who pooled identical 138s.
The ICTSI-backed Saso, who was only two down after the opener, showed resilience in coming back from a shaky start and staying in the hunt.
The Tokyo Olympics participant fell into a bogey-bogey-bogey mishap on the third, fifth and six holes and managed a birdie on No. 7 to reach the turn at two-over 38.
Saso racked up back-to-back birdies on Nos. 10 and 11, dropped one shot on the 16th then recovered with a birdie the next hole to finish the second round even.
Jutanugarn knocked in five birdies in a six-hole stretch in the back nine en route to the best card of the day and pole position.
Overnight leader Michele Thomson of Scotland stumbled big time after her opening 65, limping with an 80 to drop to joint 45th at one-over.