With 36 holes remaining, Ally Ewing (née McDonald), the 30-year old Mississippian holds a handsome margin that looks hard to bridge. As play commenced on Friday, 59 players started at even par or better and were within four shots of Ally Ewing’s opening 68.
However, the American seized control and flew out of the blocks on a sunny Surrey Friday, surging into an extremely commanding position. Five birdies on the outward nine, which is certainly the more challenging of the two this week, was exceptional play to put her seven clear at one point.
(Photo by Chloe Knott/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
She was clearly right in the zone, in an almost trance-like state, noting in her post-round interview:
“I didn’t really even know until I signed my scorecard that I had four birdies in a row, so I would probably say that stretch from like 6 to 11 is kind of a little bit of a blur but yeah, I was very in the present on all of those shots.”
The only blemish on the card all day came at the 18th, where her drive rather unfortunately found a dreadful lie from which she had to pitch out. She didn’t manage to make up and down, leading to the only blue number on an otherwise exemplary scorecard.
Ewing heads into the weekend with the biggest halfway lead we have seen at the AIG Women’s Open since 1995. However, much was being made throughout the day by the golfing press of her recent performance at the Amundi Evian Championship in July. After a strong opening round of 67, putting her in a tie for 6th, she followed up with a nine-over-par 80 to miss the cut.
She will no doubt be trying to block out these memories to help her capture her first major title. Speaking on Friday afternoon, she noted that she will be trying to take inspiration from fellow American Brian Harman’s runaway victory at The Open. Both Bulldogs, Ewing a Mississippi Bulldog and Harman a Georgia Bulldog, she will be looking to channel that tenaciousness and resilience that Harman showed in droves.
“But yeah, it’s pretty cool, southern guy, I’m southern, just a little Mississippi girl. It is inspiring what he did.”
Like Harman, Ewing is also a hunter.
“I actually do some hunting… my husband and I, we do mostly deer hunting, so venison.”
Fear not, I will not be trying to think up deer-related nicknames for her like the media relentlessly did for Harman at Hoylake. Alas, it will be exciting to see if she can kick on in the same way her compatriot did over the final two rounds. A win would undoubtedly put her right at the forefront of Solheim Cup Captain Stacy Lewis’ mind.
The first five holes have the potential to be make-or-break for Ewing today. They have been playing very long all week and they are straight back into wind. Anything but a drive that finds the fairway can lead to big numbers very easily. If Ewing can navigate these without major upset, she will be hard to beat.
In the chasing pack and leading the charge is home favourite Charley Hull. A bogeyless 68 in Round 2 leaves the Kettering native five back alongside Andrea Lee and Minami Katsu. Hull has a swagger and confidence that will certainly help her ride the energy of the crowd over the next two rounds.
(Photo by Oisin Keniry/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
“I’m five shots behind the lead in second place at the minute, so yeah, you know, I’ve got to make birdies out there and I enjoy trying to make birdies so hopefully I can make a load”
She feels comfortable, at home and really enjoys the golf course. A mixture that will certainly keep Ally Ewing looking back over her shoulder.
“I feel comfortable out there and it’s a great track. I think it’s so pretty out there as well. It’s just nice, especially, to stay at home.”
With her nephew in attendance, Charley will be looking to put on a show on a weekend where fans will be being treated to a live Ellie Goulding performance. The Festival Village at Walton Heath has been really lively across the first two days, with plenty of activities for young fans and an atmosphere that has been a breath of fresh air for the event. It’s a great hangout, especially for families.
The wind could get up on Saturday, with gusts of 20-25mph possible; this could cause havoc on a course that has already been playing long. Either way, we’re expecting drama on what is set to be a brilliant weekend at the AIG Women’s Open.
