Nelly Korda and rising English star Lottie Woad were among the top 10 on the leaderboard and still nine shots behind at the halfway point at Royal Porthcawl.

Miyu Yamashita started and finished with short birdie putts and was flawless in between as she posted a 7-under 65 on Friday to build a three-shot lead over Rio Takeda going into the weekend of the Women’s British Open.

Japan's Miyu Yamashita surged into the lead at the AIG Women's Open with a superb second round seven-under 65 at Royal Porthcawl on Friday, with compatriot and joint overnight leader Rio Takeda three shots adrift.

Thirty days ago, on July 1, Woad was still an amateur, a rising senior at Florida State University. At the AIG Women’s Briths Open, she’s a professional, a member of the LPGA, winner of two professional tournaments and the betting favorite to win the last major of the season.

Lottie Woad shoots a level-par first round to lie five shots off the AIG Women's Open lead jointly held by Eri Okayama and Rio Takeda.