Hero Women’s Indian Open Day 2

Hillier leads into the weekend

Words: GolfPunk Photography: LET

Australia’s Whitney Hillier carded a one-under round of 71 to claim a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Hero Women’s Indian Open. She leads by a single shot from Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord with Linda Wessberg of Sweden and Meg MacLaren of England a further shot back.

Australia’s Whitney Hillier leads on six-under par

Hillier who was seventh at last week’s Estrella Damm Mediterranean Ladies Open, continued her good form at the DLF Golf and Country Club in Gurugram, adding the 71 to her excellent opening 67.

Hillier began the day tied for the lead with Meghan MacLaren, but the Englishwoman slipped back into joint third after a 73. Hillier had a rather rollercoaster round. Out in level par after a birdie at the 6th hole was cancelled out by a dropped shot at the 7th, her back nine consisted of only three pars, with the Australian having a double bogey, a bogey and four birdies.

Marianne Skarpnord of Norway

“It was a little bit up and down in the middle there but I got it back really well, so I’m quite proud of that,” said the 28-year-old from Perth, who loves playing in the heat in India.

England’s Charlotte Thompson fired the low round of the day with a 67 and joined Lydia Hall and Christine Wolf on three-under.

Joint first round leader Meg MacLaren

Amandeep Drall is leading the home challenge and she joined England’s Liz Young and new Zealand’s Hanee Song a shot further back in a share of eighth place.

Skarpnord, who also shot 71 in her second round, described her round as a mixed bag. The 29-year-old from Sarpsborg got off to a bad start with a seven at only her second hole, the 11th but dug deep. "I said to myself, ‘Just forget about what just happened because if you’re going to think about that for the next 16 holes you might as well go home’."

Linda Wessberg of Sweden

MacLaren, who was out in the afternoon, said: “It was a bit of a grind out there. I think I clung on pretty well and I’m still up there. It was probably a bit tougher as there was more breeze out there and playing in the afternoon it’s a bit stickier, but it was still fairly similar to yesterday.”