Ireland’s Leona Maguire hit a flurry of late birdies to take the halfway lead at the Women’s PGA Championship in New Jersey.
She carded a three-under 68 in the second round to move to five under par, one shot ahead of a three-strong group that includes England’s Mel Reid.
Maguire, 28, made four birdies in her final six holes to lead a major at halfway for the first time.
“This is uncharted territory for me,” said Maguire.
“Whatever happens this week, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot, and just sort of taking it one day at a time.
“I think this golf course demands that. I think you can’t think more than one shot ahead, let alone a hole or a round ahead.”
Maguire, who was three shots off the lead after day one, is one of the form players on the circuit after she stormed to her second LPGA Tour title on Sunday at the LPGA Classic.
At New Jersey’s famed Baltusrol, Reid’s round of 67 moved her up to four under par, tied for second alongside China’s Lin Xiyu and Norway’s Celine Borge.
