Irish nine behind as USA excels
The pair combined for a five-under-par 67 to finish 11 under, two clear of France’s Gwladys Nocera and Anne-Lise Caudal.
Holland are a shot further back with first round leaders Australia five shots off the pace in fourth on six under.
Ireland’s Rebecca Coakley and Martina Gillen are nine off the pace on two under as the Americans set the charge.
“We’re as surprised as anybody but we’re also playing well at the right times. We’ll see what happens the next few days,” said Mallon, a 22-year veteran of the LPGA Tour.
The French side finished with an eagle from 35 feet on the 18th and Nocera said: “We played really well today and it was good to finish like that because we deserved it. I don’t say that very often but we played really well and it’s good to finish like that so we are pretty happy.”
Defending champions team England (Laura Davies and Lisa Hall) struggled to a second round of 74 but remained just inside the top 10 in a share of ninth with Switzerland.
Welsh pair Becky Brewerton and Lydia Hall are level with Ireland at two under, while Scotland’s Lynn Kenny and Clare Queen are three shots further back.
