IRVINE, Scotland (AP) 鈥� American golfer Megan Khang birdied her final hole to shoot 4-under 68 Friday and join Minjee Lee of Australia in a share of the lead at the Women's Scottish Open.
Both players were 8 under par overall and seeking their first wins of 2024.
They were two shots clear of three players 鈥� Olympic gold medallist Lydia Ko (69), Charley Hull of England (68) and Lauren Coughlin of the United States (69).
Khang made six birdies, including a chip-in. The last of them came in the final minutes of the day's play at Dundonald Links, with Lee already in the clubhouse after shooting 69 to follow up her 67 that gave her the first-round lead.
鈥淚鈥檓 really trying to have a lot of fun out there,鈥� the 22nd-ranked Khang said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not often I鈥檓 hitting a 7-iron to a 116 (-yard) pin. I鈥檓 really comfortable with how my ball-striking is."
Lee, a two-time major champion, made birdie at Nos. 17 and 18, having picked up her other shots at Nos. 2 and 3 in a round played in strong winds.
鈥淭he last few years, we probably haven鈥檛 had as much wind at the Scottish Open,鈥� Lee said, 鈥渂ut I feel like we鈥檙e playing a true links-style course and conditions so it鈥檚 a lot more fun.鈥�
Lee's last win was in October at the BMW Ladies Championship. Khang's came two months before that, meaning she is nearly a year without a title.
鈥淚鈥檝e been hitting the ball pretty solid this entire year, and the difference has been making the putts," Khang said. 鈥淭his week I have been a little bit fortunate to make the putts. It鈥檚 just golf.鈥�
The top five have pulled clear of the rest of the field, with Mary Liu of China and Esther Henseleit 鈥� the silver-medallist at the Paris Games 鈥� tied for sixth place at 3 under, five off the lead.
Savannah Grewal of Mississauga, Ont., was the top Canadian after the second round at one over. Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., sat at 4 over after shooting a 73 on Friday.
The Scottish Open is the final stop before the Women鈥檚 British Open next week at St. Andrews.
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AP golf:
The Associated Press
