Ariya is five shots off leader Martin at the British Open

The 18-year-old, who is playing with her left wrist heavily taped, highlighted her round with an eagle on the 17th besides four birdies on holes 4, 6, 11 and 18 with two bogeys on the 1 and 13. Her 68 was the day’s second best behind Beatriz Recari and Ahn Sun-Ju of South Korea. 

“My wrist is getting better now but still not 100 per cent. I had to see a physiotherapist before the round. It’s great to play better after the first round. I am quite happy about my putting. I hope to finish in the top 10 this week. For the weekend rounds, I will stick to my game plan which is to play one shot at a time,” said Ariya, who shared sixth spot with Gwladys Nocera of France, Amelia Lewis of the US and South Korea’s Amy Yang.

Thai No 1 Pornanong Phatlum had a roller-coaster day before ending with a 74. She fired an eagle on the sixth hole only to suffer a triple bogey on the 11th.

“I didn’t hit my tee shots well today. That was reason why I came up with that triple bogey. My second shot fell in the bunker but I hit to the fringe before I finally got out of there and needed three putts to finish that hole,” said Pornanong who made the cut with a total three-over 147.

“For the eagle shot I drove to the mid fairways, around 205 yards to the flag. Then I hit the approach shot to around 30 feet and made the putt,” said Pornanong who was tied 27th.

Only three Thais made the cut and that included Thidapa Suwannapura, who hit a 74 for a total six-over 150. 

While many of the bigger names struggled in the tough conditions, American Mo Martin, the world No 99, shot a second straight three under 69 to take a three shot lead.

While the deep rough caused havoc, Californian Martin mastered the conditions with six birdies, including one at the long par five 18th where she was just off the green in two and two-putted for four.

“I think this is a fantastic course,” said the 31-year-old who has won three times on the US Futures Tour.