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

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.

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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."

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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.