Neumann leads despite conditions

Sweden’s Liselotte Neumann retained the lead as terrible weather sent scores soaring in the second round of the Scandinavian TPC at Barseback Golf Club near Malmo in Sweden.

Even world number one Annika Sorenstam, the tournament host, suffered in the high winds and torrential rain when she dropped four shots in the final three holes for a 75 and finished three shots off the lead.

Neumann, two shots ahead after a first round 68, was out in the morning when the weather was more favourable, but could still only manage an up and down 74 for two under 142.

She dropped four shots in six holes from the fourth in an outward 39, but hit back with three birdies in a row from the 14th before dropping another at the last.

Sorenstam was the outright leader when she holed a 12-foot putt for a two at the short 15th, but she hit into trees at the long 16th on her way to a double-bogey seven and wayward drives at the 17th and 18th cost her another couple of shots.

Trish Johnson, another early starter, was the best of the British players.

Currently ranked number eight on the Solheim Cup rankings – the top seven are automatic selections – she shot 74 for three over par 147 and was just inside the top 15.

Neumann led by one shot from the player currently in seventh spot on the Solheim rankings, Gwladys Nocera, from France. The 30-year-old birdied the last three holes for a 69, easily the best round of the day.

Three players shared third place on even par 144. Finland’s Minea Blomqvist and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen both had a 72 and Swede Carin Koch carded a 74.