Shiho Kuwaki holds 1-shot clubhouse lead in second round of British Women’s Open

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) — Shiho Kuwaki of Japan sank a birdie putt on the 16th in her 1-under 70 for a one-shot clubhouse lead over Jeeno Thitikul in the second round of the British Women’s Open on Friday.

Thitikul, still in pursuit of her first victory at a major, had brought a two-stroke lead over Kuwaki and Haeran Ryu into day two at Royal Lytham & St. Annes but made three bogeys in her 73.

Kuwaki led for the first time Friday after her birdie on 16 and following Thitikul’s second bogey of the day — on the par-5 11th when the Thai star’s putt for par didn’t drop.

Thitikul, one of only two players to have been No. 1 in the women’s world ranking without ever having won a major, had a bogey-free 64 in the first round but didn’t give herself a good birdie opportunity Friday until the par-3 12th, when she rolled in from 6 feet to regain a share of the lead at 6-under overall.

With Kuwaki in the clubhouse, Thitikul then fell a shot back on the 14th when she misjudged a birdie putt before missing from 4 feet on her second putt, ending with her third bogey. Thitikul limited the damage, though, on the 15th when she saved par with a long putt.

The 23-year-old Thitikul has been overlooked during the LPGA major season dominated by Ryu and Nelly Korda, who have split the four majors. Korda, who replaced Thitikul at No. 1 in April, won the first two majors and Ryu won the next two.

Kuwaki had three straight birdies early in her round but sandwiched them with bogeys. She dropped another shot on the 15th.

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