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ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Mexico's Lorena Ochoa clung to her lead in the women's British Open with a second round of 73 on Friday in the face of a strong challenge from home favourite Catriona Matthew.
Matthew had a flawless joint best-of-the-day five-under 68 in tough, windy conditions and moved into second place, a shot behind world number one Ochoa's six-under total of 140 and tied with American Wendy Ward, who posted a 70.
"The crowd was terrific today and I hope they can inspire me over the weekend," said Matthew, who is aiming to become the first Scottish woman to win a major.
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm playing well so there should be nothing to fear."
While Matthew had five birdies in halves of 33 and 35, Ochoa, who had put together a flawless first round, finally dropped her first shot of the championship at the 12th and then three-putted the last to move back towards the pack.
"I hit my second shot into the wrong position at the last but it was still a good day," she said after a round highlighted by birdies at the first and 14th.
"We got the poorer weather in the afternoon, but I thought it might have been even worse."
Annika Sorenstam, the 10-times major winner, and defending champion Sherri Steinhauer both shot 71 and were lurking at just three shots off the lead.
Sorenstam had an inordinately early 6.52am tee-time. "I don't think I've ever played so early before," she said after a four-birdie round.
"I was up at 4am and it was tough to go to bed early last night and try to sleep. I was still wound up after the first round and going over all the shots. But it was a good time to play. The greens were nice and smooth and I'm very pleased with my position."
Michelle Wie, the 17-year-old prodigy, suffered another huge disappointment in her troublesome season. Having opened with a promising 73, she shot 80 and missed the cut on seven over par.
Sidelined for five months after breaking her wrist, this was just her sixth tournament of the year. She has only made the cut in two and never finished better than 69th. Last season, she was in the top five in three of the four majors.
- REUTERS
