Korea’s Jenny Shin picked up where she left off yesterday and put on an excellent performance on day of the 2026 ISPS HANDA Women’s Scottish Open to hold a five-stroke lead at the midway mark.
Shin, who has one LPGA Tour title to her name, opened with a 66 (-6) in Scotland and followed it up with a 67 (-5) on day two at Dundonald Links.
The 33-year-old began her day with a bogey but that was the only blemish on her scorecard as she bounced back immediately with a birdie at the second hole.
She added another birdie on the fifth and eighth holes before back-to-back birdies on 11 and 12, and she finished with a birdie at the last to lead with a score of 11-under-par.
“It was actually a little bit easier than yesterday,” said Shin. “A few holes on the back nine, there was no wind, but I didn’t take advantage of those holes. I just followed my way around, made the birdies when I could and tried really hard not to make any three-putts.
“My first hole I was slightly unlucky. I thought I hit a pretty good shot, but it ended up in the bushes. I had to stay real patient. I hit some weird shots. I just stayed patient. I definitely putted well. I did see the leaderboard coming down on 16 and nine, as well. I never had a five-shot lead before. I’m going to try and stay patient the next two days. It is Links golf.
“I really like coming here. I don’t mind the weather. I love Links golf courses. It’s one of my favourite types of golf courses. It’s always been my favourite stop. I don’t think I’ve ever skipped The Scottish Open. I’m really enjoying it.”
Germany’s Esther Henseleit is in solo second place on six-under-par after a bogey-free round of 68 (-4), which included an eagle and two birdies, on day two in Scotland.
“I was just very steady. I didn’t really get into trouble off the tee. I hit a lot of greens, just had a lot of 25- to 30-footers, and a lot of two-putts. It was a pretty steady day out there,” said two-time LET winner Henseleit. “The eagle was pretty much the same as yesterday. I hit the fairway, it was a 5-wood today not a 5-iron, but I hit it onto the green and holed a 30-footer, so that was fun.
“We got a nice stretch of weather when we started our second nine, we had a nice five holes with not much wind. Other than that, it was similar to yesterday. The pins were probably a little bit more gettable today.
“I feel like it’s playing much harder than we’ve seen it in the past, which makes it easier to stay disciplined and not really chase for birdies out there. You just take your chances when they come. I would say it just helps but it’s pretty hard to get the ball close to the flag.”
Korea’s A Lim Kim is in outright third place on -5 after an even par round which included two birdies and two bogeys.
“In the morning wasn’t easier than yesterday because the rain came, but the afternoon the after back nine is better,” said Kim. “It’s still hard for me. I don’t feel it was easier. My earmuffs keep my ears warm and my confidence is higher.”
Four players are in a share of fourth place with Thai duo Pajaree Anannarukarn and Patty Tavatanakit alongside Japan’s Erika Hara and 2024 champion Lauren Coughlin.
LET winner Anannarukarn had four birdies and one bogey on her scorecard during her round of 69 (-3).
“It was windy, really windy this morning. I had some really good opportunities out there. I was able to do well off the tee, so I gave myself a lot of chances and despite the fact it was really cold, I was very pleased how I was able to stay warm out there and focus one shot at a time,” said the Thai star.
“Honestly it seems similar to yesterday but just a little cooler in the morning, so the ball didn’t really fly. That’s the tough part because you want to get the distance right, especially when you play on the Links. You want to hit the green or else you’re just trying to scramble around. That was the tough part, but I think I did really well.”
Korea’s Ina Yoon moved up to eighth place on three-under after a round of 68 (-4) with Ecuador’s Daniela Darquea and Korea’s Mi Hyang Lee in T9 on one-under-par.
The cut fell at +6 with 65 players making it through to the weekend in Scotland. Round three will begin at 7.20 am (local time) with the leading group teeing off at 12.35 pm (local time) at Dundonald Links.
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