Paula Grant
(The Spirit International Photo)

The Irish international, who won the Irish Women’s Close Championship at Ballybunion in 2013, recovered from two dropped shots early on to card two birdies and a superb eagle 3 on the 5th hole before reaching the turn. Three further birdies on the back nine ensured that Grant signed off for a round of 68, topping the leaderboard on a four-under-par total of 138.

Eagle kickstarts round

“I wasn’t really going out there expecting to be leading after finishing the round so it was nice to come off there and be at the top”, said Grant. “I putted quite well today and holed a few nice putts to keep the momentum going when I was under pressure. The eagle on the fifth really kickstarted the round.

“I want to see how far I can go in the match play. I feel confident and anything can happen when it’s match play. It’s good to shoot a couple of good scores going into the match play. I’ve started being a bit more aggressive in stroke play so I wouldn’t hope to change a whole lot going into the match play. I’m trying to stick to the game plan and go for it.”

Tough second round for Swede

Overnight leader Linn Grant endured a more difficult day in the second round of stroke play qualifying, posting a 75 to finish tied for second place on a two-under-par total of 140.

The Swede, who recently won the Helen Holm Scottish Open Stroke Play Championship and the German Girls’ Open, delivered a mixed round which included four birdies, five bogeys and two double-bogeys.

“It was a bit tougher out there today than yesterday”, said the Swedish international. “I’m looking forward to the match play stage and trying to win some matches.”

Claisse in contention

Claisse, who won the Coupe Didier Illouz and Grand Prix de ligue PACA Dames in her native France this year, followed up yesterday’s round of 67 with a steadier second round of 73 which included three birdies.

Laura Funfstuck carded the low round of the day, a four-under-par 67 which propelled the German into joint second place.

Swedish duo Maja Stark and My Leander finished tied for fourth place one shot further back on a one-under-par total of 141.

Leona Maguire, the leading women's player according to the World Golf Rankings finished level par.

The cut for the top 64 players was projected at eight-over-par with a small number of groups still out on the course.