Two new names top the AIG British Women’s Open leaderboard, with Georgia Hall and Mina Harigae tied at -7 after two rounds of play.
This year’s Women’s Open is in Carnoustie, Scotland. The tournament announced Thursday that the prize fund was increased by $1.3 million to a total purse of $5.8 million. That total makes it the largest prize fund in women’s Major Championship golf. The winner is set to earn $870,000, while the runner-up will take home $572,750. Even more money will be on the line next year, as the prize fund will grow by an additional $1 million next year.
But everyone’s focus is on this year’s prize pool, of which many are in the hunt. While Olympic champion Nelly Korda entered the day tied for first, she hit a second-round 73 to fall back to T11 and three shots back of the lead.
At the top of the leaderboard, Harigae capped off the second round with a birdie on 18 to give herself a share of the lead. She shot up the leaderboard on day two, shooting five-under par.
What a round 👏 @minaharigae caps off her second round with a birdie on 18 to grab a share of the lead!
— LPGA (@LPGA) August 20, 2021
Watch the @AIGWomensOpen now on @GolfChannel! pic.twitter.com/33UT6p0Jwv
Hall had quite the day herself, shooting three-under par to claim a share of the lead. The English golfer is no stranger to the Women’s British Open, having won the even in 2018 for her first Major Championship victory.
The golfer was in fine form on Friday, shooting six birdies. However, a double bogey on the 15th took away her chance to pull away from Harigae.
The leaderboard is tight heading into the weekend, with Sei Young Kim and Lizette Salas sitting one back at -6, while seven golfers are tied at -5. It’s clearly anybody’s game heading into the final two rounds.