Lottie Woad shot a seven-under-par 64 to claim the outright halfway lead at the 2026 Amundi Evian Championship. The 22-year-old Englishwoman reached 11-under after 36 holes at Evian Resort Golf Club, one stroke ahead of overnight leader Aki Iwai.

Woad began Friday tied for eighth and four shots behind Iwai. Her 64, combined with an opening 67, moved the world No. 4 to the top of the official leaderboard at the fourth of the season’s five women’s majors.

Woad Takes the Lead With Eight Birdies

Woad opened her scoring with a birdie at the third before gaining further shots on the seventh and ninth. Her only bogey came at the 10th, but the response was immediate as she birdied the next three holes.

A birdie at the 15th brought her level with Iwai. She made an eighth birdie at the 18th to take sole possession of first place.

“I hit a lot of fairways and greens, which is definitely the key around here. If you get in trouble off the tee, it can be pretty difficult, so I’ve just been trying to hit my lines and know how important that is,” Woad said.

Woad also credited improved putting and her driving, which left shorter approaches and more realistic birdie opportunities. Her comfort at Evian is supported by recent results. She finished joint runner-up in 2025, one shot outside the playoff, before returning this year as a two-time LET winner.

“I’ve got slightly better in all areas,” Woad said. “Just mentally in these positions a bit more, so I’m a little calmer under pressure.”

Iwai Stays Within One Stroke

Iwai started her second round from the 10th tee and made birdies at the 11th, 12th and 15th before dropping a shot on the 17th. She recovered after the turn, birdieing the first and nearly making an ace at the downhill par-three second.

A double bogey at the sixth proved costly, however, and Iwai signed for a 69 to finish at 10-under. She said her smooth swing and communication with her caddie helped her create numerous birdie chances.

Haeran Ryu and Mao Saigo share third place at 8-under after matching rounds of 68. Ryu, the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship winner, made an eagle at the 15th alongside three birdies and two bogeys.

Four players are tied for fifth at 6-under: Charley Hull, Nastasia Nadaud, Jeeno Thitikul and Miyu Yamashita. Thitikul matched Woad’s 64 with a bogey-free round containing five birdies and an eagle at the par-5 7th.

Nadaud strengthened the home challenge with her second consecutive 68. The Frenchwoman recovered from a double bogey at the ninth by birdieing the 10th and three of her final four holes.

Korda Misses the Cut

The cut fell at even par, with 66 players progressing to the weekend. Kajsa Arwefjäll advanced on her major debut, while Anna Huang made the final two rounds in her first Evian appearance.

Nelly Korda missed by one stroke after rounds of 74 and 69. The result ended her sequence of 34 consecutive made cuts in official LPGA Tour events.

Saturday’s third round begins at 8:40 a.m. local time. Woad and Iwai will tee off in the leading group at 10:40 a.m., with Ryu and Saigo three strokes behind the leader.

Related: Lara Tennant and Bryan Hoops Complete American Double at Frilford Heath

Tennant overturned a three-shot deficit on the back nine, while Hoops produced the second-lowest round of the week to secure a commanding six-shot victory.

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