Lydia Ko takes two-shot lead at Women’s Scottish Open after second straight 65 at Dundonald Links

Ko is searching for her first win since March.

Lydia Ko said she felt her second round Friday wasn’t as strong as her opening round on Thursday. Her score indicates otherwise.

Ko fired her second straight 7-under 65, taking a two-shot lead at 14 under following the second round of the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open. She leads Lilia Vu by two shots and Eun-Hee Ji by three heading to the weekend.

For Ko, who posted her tour-leading 12th bogey-free round of the season, she’s getting closer to conquering links golf. Last year, she finished tied for second at this event.

With 36 holes to play, Ko is in the driver’s seat and looking for another victory.

“I had a few more birdie opportunities today that I missed,” Ko said. “When I made the turn, I made a really good par actually on the 18th hole, which was my ninth. Then hit a good drive down the first, and I got really good momentum.”

After going out in 1-under 35, Ko fired a 6-under 30 on her back nine, which was highlighted by a near hole-in-one on the par-3 fourth and an eagle on the par-5 fifth.

Ko hasn’t won a major on the LPGA since 2019 and hasn’t won a tournament since March.

The round of the day belonged to Ji, who shot an 8-under 64 to climb 15 spots on the leaderboard. Hye-Jin Choi, who led following the first round, is tied for sixth after a 1-under 71 performance.

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