Screen had only one bogey at Royal County Down on Wednesday. Her 3-under 70 left her at 7 under for 36 holes of stroke-play qualifying. That was two shots better than Angelica Moresco, with whom she was tied after Tuesday’s opening round. Moresco, an Italian who plays for Alabama, followed her opening 69 with a 72.
“It feels really good to be top qualifier,” Screen told the R&A. “I came in today trying to play steadily and I managed to do that, holing some great putts. It was harder today as the wind was definitely blowing stronger and also cross wind on some holes which is so challenging.”
American Gurleen Kaur, a rising junior at Baylor, rebounded from an opening 73 with a 71. She tied for third with Amelia Garvey, a New Zealander who plays for USC.
Royal County Down is hosting this event for the ninth time this week, exactly 120 years since it first staged the event in 1899.
Garvey, 19, is getting an education in links golf.
“This is my first time on a proper links course,” she said. “I’m getting used to landing the ball short of the greens and it’s been fun. I’ve been using my 2 iron a lot to keep the ball in play and avoid the rough as it can be hard to control the ball in the wind with the driver.
Among the 144-woman starting field, 26 countries were represented. The field has now been whittled down to 64. The cut fell at 7 over.
Defending champion Harm was among those to make the match-play bracket.
The first two matches will take place on Thursday.