Marissa Steen produced a round of 72 (-1) to put herself in pole position at the top of the leaderboard at the ISPS HANDA World Invitational Presented by AVIV Clinics.
The American began the day on two-under-par, which she carded at Galgorm, and headed to the Links of Castlerock.
Being in the first group out, Steen got the best of the conditions on what turned out to be a very gusty and damp day.
The 33-year-old made two bogeys and three birdies for her round of 72 and moved to the top of the leaderboard with a total of three-under-par.
“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 sits in outright second place on the leaderboard after shooting a round of 71 (-2) at Castlerock.
The two-time LET winner had five birdies and three bogeys on her scorecard on day two in Northern Ireland to move into contention.
“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.
“I’m really confident at the moment on the golf course. I’m rolling some putts in, so that’s nice to see. I feel good. Yesterday was good as well. Just one little bad shot that cost me coming in.
“The plan is to just keep grinding in the wind really. Don’t make any stupid…
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