Lydia Ko in tie for Australian Open lead

• Lydia Ko in three-way tie for lead at Women’s Australian Open
• England’s Charley Hull two shots back on four-under par
• Scots Catriona Matthew and Kylie Walker currently T26

World No.1 Lydia Ko is in a three-way tie for the lead after the second round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open, with England’s Charley Hull also very much in contention.

The 17-year-old New Zealander shot a pair of 70s to sit alongside South Korea’s Ha Na Jang and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn on six-under par after two days, with Hull a couple of shots back after recording two rounds of 71.

Speaking after the second round, Lydia Ko said: “I think I hit the ball better yesterday but then on the back nine, I kind of got myself together and tried to give myself some opportunities. I was really close on a lot of them but they just didn’t drop.

“I think I had one more bogey than yesterday. It’s good to come off with one or two bogeys at the end of the day around this track.”

Lydia Ko and Hull were grouped together for the opening two rounds and after sitting alone in fourth place, the English world No.36 highlighted her enjoyment of playing with the Kiwi.

She said: “I enjoy playing with Lydia. I’ve played with her quite a bit over the past two years. I first played with her two years ago straight after the Solheim Cup in the Canadian Open and we both played well, both at the top of the leaderboard in the first two rounds, so I have good memories playing with Lydia and I enjoy it.

“I’m still working on my swing and that’s why some of my iron shots are a bit off, because I still haven’t got my feel about my three-quarter shots, to cut or draw a few balls in. Hopefully towards the weekend, I’m going to do a bit more range practice and get a bit more feel.”

Of the three Scots in the field, Catriona Matthew and Kylie Walker are in a tie for 26th place on two-over par, while Carly Booth had a tournament to forget, finishing 16-over par.

Lydia Ko leading at the Women’s Australian Open :: Your thoughts

Lydia Ko, 17, caused a stir earlier this week by saying she wants to retire at 30. What are your thoughts on this? And in the 13 years until then, how many titles do you think she can win?