Shin leads by five shots at British Open

After last weekend’s marathon finish, Jiyai Shin showed she’s also capable of a fast start.

Shin picked up five shots in her first four holes on Saturday en route to an 8-under 64 to grab a commanding five-shot lead after the second round of the Women’s British Open.

After winning the Kingsmill Championship on the ninth playoff hole on Monday, the South Korean golfer is doing her best to wrap things up more quickly this time. Starting on the 10th hole, Shin opened her round by chipping in for an eagle and added birdies on the next three holes.

She added three more birdies in a bogey-free round to sit five shots clear of compatriot Inbee Park, who carded a 68.

The final two rounds of the tournament, which is sponsored by Ricoh, will be played on Sunday after Friday’s play was abandoned because of the strong winds sweeping over the Hoylake links.

“I chipped in from 30 yards for the eagle… After that I felt really good and hit great shots at the next three holes to make birdies” Open leader Jiyai Shin

“I chipped in from 30 yards for the eagle,” Shin said.

“After that I felt really good and hit great shots at the next three holes to make birdies.

I was bogey free today and bunker free, so that was probably the best round I have ever played in a major.”

Karrie Webb of New Zealand and Japanese golfer Mika Miyazato both shot 70 to sit another stroke back in a tie for third.

Webb, a three-time British Open champion, had an eagle at the 16th to go with two pars and two bogeys on the front nine.

“I’m surprised to be six shots behind at 3 under,” Webb said.

“But I’m happy with the way I played and handled the golf course. Tomorrow I’ll just try to narrow the gap and see how it goes.”

Chasing pack

Katie Futcher of the United States was in fifth place after a second successive 71, while her fellow American Vicky Hurst was among five players a further stroke behind.

Teenage amateur Lydia Ko of New Zealand was in that group, despite dropping shots at her first two holes before fighting back for a 71.

“It would be nice to finish leading amateur, so tomorrow I’ll try and play my best and take it one shot at a time,” Ko said.

Defending champion Yani Tseng is on level par after a second 72, birdieing the 18th after dropping two strokes on the 17th.

The two joint overnight leaders had a rough day, as Haeji Kang missed the cut after racking up an eight and a seven in a 79 while So Yeon Ryu dropped to level par after a 74.

Paula Creamer is in a large group at 1 over along with fellow Americans Michelle Wie, Cristie Kerr and Morgan Pressel.

Veteran Julie Inkster bounced back from her first-round 79 to improve by 10 strokes and make the cut on 4 over.

Other notable players to miss the cut included past champions Catriona Matthew, Karen Stupples and Laura Davies and fellow British player Carly Booth, who tops the Ladies European Tour’s order of merit standings.