TURNBERRY (Scotland) • Suzann Pettersen was out early in the second round of the Women's British Open, shot 69 and set a halfway target that no one else could match on a day of horrendous weather at Turnberry on Friday.
With wind and rain making it miserable for the golfers and fans, the 33-year-old Norwegian managed to carve four birdies out of her round and finished on an impressive seven-under -par 137.
Lydia Ko (73), the world No. 2, Ryu So Yeon (72), the 2011 US Women's Open champion, Chinese Taipei's Teresa Lu (71) and South Korea's Ko Jin Young were two shots back in joint second.
Pettersen, a two-time Major winner, said she felt invigorated this season following a switch in coach from David Leadbetter to Butch Harmon. The latter is the Las Vegas guru who steered Tiger Woods through his hugely successful early years as a professional.
"It was really tough out there but I played very solid," she said. "I felt I was in control of everything. This ranks pretty high as a good round of golf. Butch has made technical changes and it is just much easier."
Last week, Pettersen finished runner-up in the Scottish Open at the nearby Dundonald Links and is seeking to go one better this time.
She has got a decent record in the British Open with top-five finishes in the last two years.
Ko, who opened with a 66, was mightily impressed by Pettersen's effort. "Today was like playing a different course," said the teenager. "I knew it wasn't going to be another 66 but a day for grinding it out. Suzann must have played great."
The first-round leader, South Korea's Kim Hyo Joo, followed her 65 with a 78 for a 143 total.
World No. 1 Park In Bee was not too delighted with a 73 but the Korean is still well in the hunt on 142.
Michelle Wie was heading for the exit after failing to get past the 13th hole. At 10 over par for the round and 14 over for the tournament, last year's US Open champion retired with an ankle injury.
Last year's winner Mo Martin also missed out. After a promising opening 70, the American slumped to a second-day 80.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
WOMEN'S BRITISH OPEN
Day 4: Singtel TV Ch114 & StarHub Ch208, 8pm
