Lee followed up her Championship record-equalling 10-under-par 62 with a round of 71, including three birdies and two bogeys, to move onto 11-under after 36 holes.

The 25-year-old holds a one-shot lead over China’s Shanshan Feng and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn, who finished four-under and three-under respectively today.

"I had issues with my tee shots," Lee, looking for her first LPGA Tour win since 2014, told Golfweek.

"I had a couple of three-putts too, but I think with some practice I can overcome my mistakes from today."

Scotland’s Catriona Matthew shot a seven-under-par 65, the best round of the day, to place herself joint fourth with South Korea’s Ha-Na Jang.

Both are on nine-under-par, one shot ahead of the United States’ Mo Martin in sixth place.

England's Charley Hull is the highest-placed home favourite, tied for 10th place on five-under after a second-round score of 70.

Hull made five birdies in six holes from the seventh to the 12th, but was put on the clock from the 13th to the 16th because of slow play.

"It was raining so I had to rush and bogeyed the 16th hole, it is stuff you have to deal with," she told BBC Sport.

"I am usually a fast player but happy with the way I came through the middle part."

World number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand matched Hull’s 70 to make the cut on level-par.

Action is due to continue tomorrow and draw to a close on Sunday (July 31).