Women's Scottish Open: Ariya Jutanugarn sitting pretty at Dumbarnie Links

Ariya Jutanugarn stamped her personality on the opening round of the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open before showing her class in the second circuit at Dumbarnie Links.
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2018 winner at Gullane, swept into a three-shot lead in the second round of the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links. Picture: Tristan JonesThailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2018 winner at Gullane, swept into a three-shot lead in the second round of the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links. Picture: Tristan Jones
Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, the 2018 winner at Gullane, swept into a three-shot lead in the second round of the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links. Picture: Tristan Jones

Bidding to land this title for a second time after winning at Gullane in 2018, the 25-year-old Thai swept into the halfway lead after adding a 66 to Thursday’s 69 to sit three shots clear of the field on nine-under-par.

Jutanugarn, a two-time major winner, birdied five out of the last seven holes as she came home in 32 in her second-day salvo, having played both her rounds so far in a testing wind at the Fife venue.

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“I felt like when I played in the windy afternoon yesterday, at least it’s going to be better for me in the morning,” she said. “And actually it wasn’t. The wind start to go really hard since the first hole. Last few holes, even worse."

During her first round, Jutanugarn was spotted on a couple of occasions sitting down at the side of the green and giving a thumbs up to shots from the other players in her group.

“It’s my personality. I sit down to enjoy the view, even enjoy the other players playing,” she said. “If you have nothing better to do, then it’s good just rooting for them.

“Patti [Tavatanakit], yesterday, she hit so many good shots and had one great up and down and I was so impressed.”

England’s Charley Hull, Dane Emily Kristine Pedersen and Thailand’s Atthaya Thitikul are leading the chase heading into the weekend, but Jutanugarn could already be tough to catch in this sort of form.

Scot Kelsey MacDonald and US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso are in a group sharing fifth spot on five-under, but defending champion Stacy Lewis sits 10 shots off the lead after finishing bogey-bogey for a 74.

Scot Kelsey MacDonald and US Women’s Open champion Yuka Saso are in a group sharing fifth spot on five-under, but defending champion Stacy Lewis sits 10 shots off the lead after finishing bogey-bogey for a 74.

The cut fell at two-over with some big-name casualties including AIG Women’s Open champion Sophia Popov and Minjee Lee, who was bidding to complete a family double after brother Min Woo’s win in the men’s Scottish Open last month.

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