Woad finds pre-major form to close on LPGA Tour lead

Jing Yan leads the Meijer LPGA Classic, with England's Lottie Woad tied-second at the halfway stage; world No 2 Jeeno Thitikul missed the cut in her final LPGA Tour start before next week's KPMG Women's PGA Championship, live on Sky Sports

>England’s Lottie Woad found a timely form boost ahead of the next women's major by moving within a shot of the halfway lead at the Meijer LPGA Classic.

>Woad followed an opening-round 69 with a brilliant bogey-free 66 at Blythefield Country Club, carding six birdies to jump to nine under and in touch with leader Jing Yan.

>The world No 7 - beginning on the back nine - posted back-to-back birdies from the 14th and took advantage of the par-five 18th to turn in 33, then ended a run of pars by picking up a shot at the par-three fifth.

>Woad added another at the next before birdieing her final hole of the day, leaving her in tied-second alongside Cassie Porter in the final event before next week's KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

>"Been trying to get in contention a bit more," said Woad, already a winner on the LPGA Tour this season at the Kroger Queen City Championship. "Feel like when I am in contention I've done pretty good so far, so just trying to keep that going.

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>"I feel like I am still working out kind of how I want to play before majors, whether I want to go play an event or not. I think I'm finding out I do like playing the week before when possible - I want to do that to get the momentum going.

>"Coming off a US Open [tied-49th], which was obviously tough for four days there, it's nice to go somewhere where it's a little bit more scorable and see those birdie putts go in before another major."

>Round of the morning goes to Lottie Woad 💥

She turns in a flawless -6 to take a share of the lead @arcisgolf pic.twitter.com/qpG2Xq10MY

>Yan matched Woad's bogey-free 66 to get to 10 under and one ahead of Woad and Porter, with Korea's Minji Kang a further shot back in tied-fourth alongside China's Yan Liu.

>World No 2 Jeeno Thitikul made a shock early exit after a second-round 70 left her a shot outside the cut mark, with England's Mimi Rhodes also missing the cut after rounds of 73 and 72.

>Who will win the Meijer LPGA Classic? Watch throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Saturday from 8pm on Sky Sports+. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.