SHIBUNO LEADS BY THREE AT THE US WOMEN'S OPEN

Japan's Hinako Shibuno leads the field by three shots at the half way stage of the 75th US Women's Open, at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas.

Major winner Hinako Shibuno added a four-under 67 on the Jackrabbit course to her first round 68 on the Cypress Creek course to open up a three shot lead on -7 heading into the weekend of the US Women's Open.

The Japanese star, who is affectionally known as the "Smiling Cinderella" due to her engaging smile, rose to sudden fame in the summer of 2019 when she won the AIG Women's British Open at Woburn, her first major, the first time she played outside Japan.

Swedish star Linn Grant leads the way for the amateurs after a brace of 69's left her in solo second place on -4.

Chasing her is America amateur, Kaitlyn Papp, who shot a three-under-par second round of 68 for a share of third on -3 with American duo Amy Olson, the overnight leader, and Megan Khang.

Behind them, in a group of eight on -2, is former US Women's Open winner, Thialand's Ariya Jutanugarn, her sister Moriya Jutanugarn and the American two-time major winners Stacy Lewis and Cristie Kerr. Kerr, a former US Open winner, dislocated a couple of ribs in a cart accident only a week ago and wasn't even sure she could play until the Open began.

England's Charley Hull started the day two strokes off the lead, but shot a two-over 73 to drop into a tie for 20th on level-par with her compatriot Jodi Ewart Shadoff and defending champion, South Korea's Jeongeun Lee6.

Solheim Cup star, England's Bronte Law and the 2020 AIG Women's Open Champion, Germany's Sophia Popov, narrowly made the cut on +3.

But the 2019 British Women's Open champion, Georgia Hall, will miss the weekend after finishing on +7, alongside her fellow Englishwomen Mel Reid and Megan MacLaren, as will all three GB&I amateurs. Hall shot a bogey free three-under-par 68, but it was not enough to make up for a disappointing opening round of 81.

Also making an early exit is South Korea's Mirim Lee, who won her first major at the Anna Inspiration this year and Europe's newly crowned number one, Denmark's Emily Pedersen.

The tournament, which has a $1m winners' cheque, was scheduled to take place in June but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.