Scotland’s Michele Thomson fired a round-of-the-day 66 to move into tied-third, while Strom’s one-over 73 was enough to extend her lead to three shots; watch the third round live on Saturday from midday on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel
By Ali Stafford
Last Updated: 11/02/22 4:00pm
Linnea Strom holds a three-shot lead in Kenya
Linnea Strom holds a three-shot lead over Nuria Iturrioz at the halfway stage of the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, while Scotland’s Michele Thomson charged up the leaderboard after a brilliant second round.
Strom followed an opening-round 68 with a one-over 73 in tough scoring conditions at Vipingo Ridge, where only four of the field were able to post an under-par score for their second round.
The Swede mixed three birdies with two bogeys and a double-bogey to head into the weekend on three under and the only player in red figures, with Iturrioz in second on level par after bouncing back from four bogeys in a six-hole stretch around the turn to card a two-under 70.
“I do feel like I actually played better golf today than what I did yesterday,” Strom said, despite scoring five shots worse than the opening day. “Obviously I made eight birdies yesterday and only three today, so that makes a big difference.
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“We didn’t have as much wind on the front nine and just couldn’t really get it going, then had a double on the eighth hole, which cost me a bit today. Overall, I feel happy with my game is at the moment, I just didn’t get the scoring as good today.”
Thomson posted the best score of the day by four shots with a bogey-free 66, birdieing five of her first eight holes and adding another at the par-four seventh to move into the group tied-third and within four of the lead.
Wales’ Becky Morgan, Germany’s Sophie Hausmann join Thompson on one over with Denmark’s Smilla Tarning Soenderby, making her first start as a professional, while England’s Lily May Humphries is tied-15th after rounds of 75 and 73 over the first two days.
Watch the Magical Kenya Ladies Open throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Saturday from midday via the red button on Sky Sports Golf and – for free – on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel.