Brittany Lincicome had an immaculate 65 and led on 10-under-par 132 at the halfway stage of the Evian Championship in France.
But the final major of the women's season was disappointing for the Scots.
Kylie Walker, a winner in the Netherlands and Germany in a breakthrough season on the Ladies' European Tour, added a 76 to her opening 75 and missed the cut by four shots. It was a far cry from the opening day when she was at the top of the leader board on four under par after 12 holes.
While Walker was making her Evian debut, Catriona Matthew is a seasoned veteran. While she might always enjoy the wonderful setting on the shores of Lake Geneva, the North Berwick golfer has never managed to tame the Resort course. She also tagged a 76 to her first- round 75 and was alongside Walker on nine over par.
Lincicome threw away a chance to win a second career major at the LPGA Championship last month but she made light of the trickier windy conditions on the second day with a flawless six-birdie round.
The American Solheim Cup player was one ahead of first-round sensation Kim Hyo-Joo and three better than Mi Jung Hur with defending champion Suzann Pettersen and Karrie Webb in a tie for fourth on six under.
World No.1 Stacy Lewis was also in the hunt on five under after a 67. Lincicome led after the second and third rounds at the LPGA Championship, but went on to bogey the 72nd hole and lost the title in a play-off against Park Inbee. Now she hopes to seal the deal and set a second major alongside the 2009 Kraft Nabisco Championship.
"I felt really at ease today," said the world No.28. "I've had a good few weeks and it's built my confidence. I had a rough couple of years but I'm back just trying to enjoy it and play like a ten year-old again."
A 61 was always going to be a hard act to follow, but Kim stayed close to the top with a battling second round 72. The 19-year-old's opening round was the best in a major but the blustery conditions set a stiffer test.
"I was a little angry with the start today," said Kim, who was three over par at the turn. "I went out trying to erase the first round from my thoughts. I wanted to treat it as a new day and it still feels good to be right up there."
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