LEONA PULLS HERSELF UP TO T20 DESPITE DOUBLE BOGEY

With the leader still to finish at the time of writing, Leona Maguire (Duke University) was in T20 position, an improvement of 10 slots, with rounds of 75 and 71 for two-over 146 over a par-72 course of 6,337yd in the NCAA Albuquerque at the New Mexico venue.

World ranked No 1 female amateur, the Irish player was back in form apart from a double bogey 6 at the second and another shot dropped at the seventh in halves of 36 and 35.

Leona birdied the first, sixth, eighth, 12th and 15th.

Jessica Carty (Denver) from Holywood, near Belfast is T45 on 150 with rounds of 76 and 74.

North Carolina State's India Clyburn from Cleethorpes is T48 on 151 (79-72).

Sophie Newlove (Denver), a freshman from Nottingham, has had rounds of 80 and 75 for 155 and a T71 position.

Scot Lauren Whyte (Denver) from St Andrews has had scores of 79 and 77 for 156, and shares T70 place with Lisa Maguire (Duke) who has also had rounds of 79 and 77.