After carding six birdies in her first 14 holes, Woad shot 2-under 70 to get to 2 under for the tournament, nine back of leader Miyu Yamashita, who carded a dazzling 7-under 65. After hitting 11 greens in the first round, Woad hit 16 in Round 2.

As the world of women's golf prepares for the final major of the year, an English prodigy has seized the limelight.

Rio Takeda overcame a double bogey at the turn with four birdies over her final seven holes Thursday for a 5-under 67 to share the lead with Eri Okayama in an AIG Women’s Open that featured a Japanese surge and a mixed day for Lottie Woad.