But compatriot Michelle Wie struggled to find any form and missed the cut. 

Martin began the day one shot behind overnight leader Ayako Uehara of Japan, who tumbled down the leaderboard with a round of 79 as some big names registered high scores at the Southport course.

Three-time winner Karrie Webb of Australia also ended with a 79 while Scotland's 2009 champion Catriona Matthew could only manage an 83.

But Martin was a model of consistency as she matched her score from yesterday birdieing two of her last four holes to leave her at six-under-par for the tournament, three ahead of Spaniard Beatriz Recari and 2011 US Women's Open champion, So Yeon Ryu of South Korea.

Ryu went round in 70 while Recari shot the lowest round of the Championship so far with a superb 67 to put her right in contention for her first major title.

"It's so important to put it in the fairway because that gave me the confidence to be more aggressive and be able to chase a couple of pins and chase some birdies," said the 27-year-old afterwards.

Beatriz Recari can afford to smile after a five-under-par round of 67 has her sitting joint second at Royal Birkdale ©Getty Images



But US Women's Open champion Wie could not replicate her performance here nine years ago when she finished third, as a six-over-par round of 78 saw her miss the cut for the first time at a British Open since 2007.

"I missed a lot of greens," said the 24-year-old American.

"I had a lot of hard par putts today, and I didn't make them.

"I didn't do much on any of the holes.

"It didn't go quite as well as I wanted it to.

"I'm disappointed in myself.

"I wanted to play well here."

Michelle Wie struggled at Royal Birkdale today and missed the cut for the first time this year ©Getty Images



Another US star, Lexi Thompson was also in danger of leaving the tournament early after she opened with a 10 at the first hole after going out of bounds twice.

But the 19-year-old showed some real resilience and calmness to regain her composure and play the remaining 17 holes in one-under to card a 77 and make the cut.

Defending champion Stacy Lewis is still in with a chance of retaining her crown after a round of 74 leaves her at one-over-par for the tournament.

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