Ko struggles with the putter

Lydia Ko, the world’s No 1 golfer, battled hard today to stay in the medal hunt.

Ko, 19, shot a 70 today, to go with her first-round 69. Her round today included consecutive birdies on 15 and 16 and one bogey.

At 3 under for the tournament, the New Zealander is in equal 22nd position and struggling to say in contact with leader Inbee Park of South Korea, who is 10 under. Other big names near the top of the leaderboard include American Stacy Lewis, on 9 under, and Charley Hull (Great Britain) and Brooke Henderson (Canada) 8 under.

Ko certainly has the job ahead of her.

She said she was disappointed with her putting today.

“I hit my tee shots really well, but it's disappointing when you are not holing many putt shots out there,” she said.

“I made good birdies on 15 and 16 to make me under par for the day. But when you are not holing many putts it can get a little frustrating.”

Ko said the key for her was to stay confident and focus on the next shot.

“I feel there's a lot of golf still to play. I know there's a lower number than what I have shot the last two days. Hopefully that comes in the next two rounds.”

She said she had played the front nine over over on both days so far.

“When the girls are shooting low numbers going into the back nine and you're over par and you're trying to make up for it, it's hard.

“I have to play the front nine better. If I put myself in a better position it puts less pressure on me going into the back nine.”