World No 1 Nelly Korda takes three-shot lead at halfway in Women’s Open

Nelly Korda leads by three after two rounds of the Women’s Open, after recording just one dropped shot in her first 36 holes. Photograph: Steve Welsh/PA

As world No 1, she is always the woman to beat and halfway through the Women’s Open at St Andrews, Nelly Korda is living up to her pre-championship billing. A pair of 68s has the 26-year-old American on eight under and three strokes clear in the race for what would be her third major victory.

The chasing pack is almost as impressive. Among a formidable group of close challengers are the defending champion, Lilia Vu, last year’s runner-up, Charley Hull, the Olympic gold medallist, Lydia Ko, and the 2022 Women’s Open champion at Muirfield, South African Ashleigh Buhai. All are within five shots of the leader.