Leona Maguire is just four shots off the lead following an eventful second round at the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open on Friday in New Jersey.The Cavan golfer posted a two-under 70 at Liberty National Golf Club after a round that featured six birdies and four bogeys - including a run of four birdies in six holes around the turn, between the seventh and the 12th.She would have been a shot closer to joint leaders Minjee Lee and Cheyenne Knight were it not for a frustrating bogey five at the last, but the in-form Irish golfer is well-placed in a tie for 12th heading into the weekend.It was a disappointing day for Stephanie Meadow.
who couldn't back up her opening round 68, instead carding two double bogeys and four bogeys on her way to a five-over 77.This leaves Meadow in a tie for 39th on one-over par.Lee shot an eight-under-par 64 and Knight posted a four-under 68 to move into a tie for the leadFifth-ranked Australian Lee and Knight are at seven-under 137, after a eight-under 64 and four-under 68 respectively.
They are a stroke ahead of world number three Lydia Ko of New Zealand. Ko finished her second straight 69 to get to six-under.A fascinating collection of players was another stroke back at five-under, tied for fourth: world number one Jin Young Ko of South Korea (second-round 66), sixth-ranked Atthaya Thitikul of Thailand (71), Brooke M.
Henderson of Canada (70), Aditi Ashok of India (72) and Rose Zhang (69). FULL LEADERBOARD Zhang was the top-ranked amateur in women's golf until she turned pro last week.