Marissa Steen carded a 72 at Castlerock to move to the top of the leaderboard at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by AVIV Clinics.
The American started the day on 2-under and was in the first group out, getting the best of the conditions on a gusty and damp day to finish at 3-under.
“I told my caddie before we started just to stay patient today with how windy it was going to be,” said Steen. “This course is so exposed being so close to the water, so it was really all I was trying to do was stay patient. That was really my only thought.
“Galgorm is a lot of a different challenge than this course with it being parkland, and the wind out there is harder to judge because, with more trees, it just swirls more. Out here where it’s so exposed it was just more trusting that I had the right club and I had accounted for the wind properly.
“I feel like I’ve put some good weeks together so far this season. My game feels really close. I was bummed to not make the AIG last week, but I had some good time to just work on my golf game.
“It feels good to see that paying off this week as well. I feel like my game has been pretty solid. Maybe not putting it all together at exactly the right time, but things feel good.”
Germany’s Esther Henseleit lies in second place at 2-under after shooting a round of 71 at Castlerock featuring five birdies and three bogeys.
“I did not make many changes from yesterday to today,” said Henseleit. “I guess the golf course is very different. Out here it’s much firmer, but it was windy yesterday as well, so you need some low shots and to just hit fairways, hit greens, and make your putts.
“I hit it into a pot bunker twice today; made bogey both times. I guess that’s the medicine you have to take on a links golf course. Other than that, I played really solid.
“The plan is to just keep grinding in the wind really. Don’t make any stupid mistakes. Just play your pars. Some putts might go in and you get some birdies, but just keep it in play in the wind.”
Four players are tied in third place with England’s Gabriella Cowley, Germany’s Olivia Cowan, Switzerland’s Kim Metraux and American Ryann O’Toole all on one-under-par.
Cowley, who was one of the co-leaders overnight, had a tough day at Galgorm carding a 3-over 75 but remains just two shots off the lead.
Germany’s Cowan has had a solid first two days with rounds of 72 at both Castlerock and Galgorm to be one-under-par.
“I played nicely out there,” said Cowan. “I grinded it through. It was tough at times, but I just tried to keep level-headed and carry on, I did well.
“On 18, I got robbed there! I think my putt hit something midway, so it bumped left, but it was still a good par and I’m happy with my round. Every week is great to finish off strong and it’s important, so I’m just happy that I’m playing good golf and that I’m in contention. I’m going to try and continue that.”
Metraux began her round in style today with an eagle on the 10th and having had the worst of the afternoon conditions, she battled well for a round of 75 to remain just two shots off the lead.
The cut fell at 5-over with 63 players making it through to the third round, which will be played at Galgorm on Saturday, and there will be a further cut to the top 35 players and ties at the 54-hole mark.
