Charley and Jodi fly the flag at first Major of the year
England’s Charley Hull and Jodi Ewart Shadoff found themselves five shots off the lead at the halfway stage of the ANA Inspiration, the first women’s Major of the season.
Ewart Shadoff, who finished second in the Women’s British Open at Kingsbarns last year, carded six birdies and a solitary bogey in a superb 67 at Mission Hills Country Club in California.
And she was joined on seven-under-par by Solheim Cup team-mate Hull, whose 68 included three birdies in the first six holes and further gains at the 17th and 18th.
Korea’s Sung Hyun Park had set the early target on 12-under-par after a brilliant round of 64. which included an eagle, seven birdies and a solitary bogey.
Overnight leader Pernilla Lindberg claimed a share of the lead alongside Park thanks to a 67.
Jessica Korda split the leading duo and a group containing the English players after following a 67 with a 68, including four birdies on the front nine and a trio of birdies and bogeys after the turn. Olympic champion Inbee Park is seven shots off the pace following a 69, with American Lexi Thompson a shot further back after three birdies in the last four holes salvaged a round of 72. Thompson was leading by three shots during the final round 12 months ago, when she was informed by tournament officials she would be penalised for an incident which took place the previous day.
The 23-year-old was penalised two strokes for incorrectly replacing a marked ball on the 17th green and another two for signing an incorrect scorecard, thereby dropping her to a shot off the lead. A tearful Thompson regrouped superbly to birdie the 13th and also birdied the 18th to force a play-off with Korea’s So Yeon Ryu, who won the title on the first extra hole.