China's Shanshan Feng extended her lead with a second-round 70 at the US Women's Open in New Jersey.
While Scotland's Catriona Matthew sits on the fringes of the top 20, the 27-year-old Feng, who previously enjoyed major success at the 2012 Women's PGA Championship, held a one-shot lead after a weather-affected opening day.
Birdies at the sixth, 11th and 12th, alongside a solitary bogey on the 10th, saw Feng reach eight under par at Trump National in Bedminster.
That put the Olympic bronze medal winner two clear of Korean trio Hye Jin Choi (69), Jeongeun Lee (69) and Amy Yang (71).
"I played probably the first nine holes in the rain, but my phone told me it was going to rain all afternoon and I was prepared," Feng said.
"I really didn't pay attention to the weather and just concentrated on every shot."
Of the three players in second, the performance of amateur Choi was the most noteworthy - with Catherine Lacoste's triumph in this event 50 years ago the last time a major was won by a player yet to turn professional.
England's Charley Hull mixed five birdies with three bogeys in a round of 70 that propelled her into a share of 14th on two under.
The 21-year-old from Kettering is six shots adrift of Feng going into the weekend.
Matthew added a 71 to her opening 72 to share 21st while Carly Booth (155) and Kelsey MacDonald (166) both missed the cut.
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