India’s Aditi Ashok shot a second round 66 to go along with her opening 65 to take a two shot lead on 13 under par in the 72 hole $5 million ARAMCO Saudi Ladies International at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on the Ladies European Tour.

Ashok, 24 years-old, who turned Pro in 2016, began the round in tied third, one shot back. She started on hole 10 for her second round and went out in 29, against a par of 36, with five birdies and an eagle.

Two bogeys followed on holes 1 and 6, and then she finished with a birdie four on the ninth, her finishing hole.

Ashok currently leads the LET’s 2023 Order of Merit having won the Magical Kenya Ladies Open and a third place in last week’s Lalla Meryen Cup in Morocco with this week in Saudi being the third event of the LET season.

First round leader and Women’s World Rankings Number One, Lydia Ko (NZ), shot a six birdie 69, to be tied alongside Lilia Vu (US) with rounds of 67 and 66 on 11 under.

Dubai based 16 year-old Chiara Noja (Ger) shot a second round of 70, including an outward nine of 32 followed by her third birdie two of the round on hole 11.

A triple bogey seven on hole 12 derailed her round, but she battled back with a birdie on the 18th for a second nine of 38, to go with her first round of 71, to be in tied 29th place on three under par.

Defending champion Georgia Hall (Eng) shot a second round 68, to be in tied 12th on six under par.

Second Round Leaders (Par 72, 6,225 Yards)1 - A. Ashok (Ind) 65, 66 = 1312 - L. Ko (NZ) 64, 69 = 133     L. Vu (US) 67, 66 = 1334 - A. Valenzuela (Swi) 68, 66 = 134     G. Lopez (Mex) 66, 69 = 1356 - E. K. Pedersen (Den) 68, 67 = 135