England’s duo of Laura Davies and Trish Johnson and Spain’s Carmen Alonso share the halfway lead at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open. The trio sit at four under par after 36 holes played in sunny conditions at National Golf Club in Belek, Antalya.

New South Wales Rebecca Artis moved up in a share of 10th position after posting an even par round of 73 on the tight tree lined course to be at one-over-par. Artis is the leading Australian.

First round leader Spain’s Carlota Ciganda a stroke back on three-under, English trio Eleanor Givens, Florentyna Parker and Holly Clyburn are a shot further back alongside Caroline Afonso in joint fifth position at one under, with England’s Charley Hull in outright ninth place on level par.

Johnson fired a second round two-under-par 71 after holing a wedge shot for eagle on the par-five 15th mixed with birdies on the sixth and 18th against bogeys on the first and 17th.

However, she only held the lead for only a short time before former fellow Solheim Cup player Davies holed a five-footer for birdie on the 18th green to join her at four-under when she signed for a 70. Alonso, playing in the last match of the day, then joined the duo on that number after 72.
Johnson said: “I think Laura’s just made birdie at 18 which is typical - always taking the limelight away!

“I played well, played sensibly. It was tough today, hard work. You can see from the scores no one’s really made a load of birdies. Pins were tough, tricky conditions and it just felt like a day for hanging in there really. My short game’s good, my putting is good; most of its good, so hopefully two more days and we’ll see how it goes.”

ACT’s Nikki Campbell carded an even par round to remain at two-over par, however she moved up into a tie for 15th position. NSW’s Sarah Kemp started the round one off the lead, however she couldn’t reproduce that form and signed for a disappointing six-over 79 to fall back into a tie for 22nd position a shot behind Campbell.

WA’s Whitney Hillier (76) is tied for 40th at five-over, while SA’s Sarah King (75) and Bree Arthur (77) are a further shot back and tied for 49th position.

The cut was made at seven-over-par and 67 players will contest the final rounds. Unfortunately SA’s Stephanie Na (77) missed by one, other Australians to miss the week-end were Karen Lunn, Alison Whitaker and Nikki Garrett. New Zealand’s Cathryn Bristow also missed out.

Defending champion Christel Boeljon, is one of a number of players at three-over-par after a 78.