Smyth Salver

Spain’s Paula Martin Sampedro has taken control of the race for the Smyth Salver at the AIG Women’s Open, setting up a weekend head-to-head with South Korea’s Yunseo Yang at Royal Lytham & St Annes.

Martin Sampedro posted a 36-hole total of two-under par to stand as the only amateur under par through 36 holes, building a five-shot lead over Yang (+3).

With the Smyth Salver awarded to the leading amateur who makes the cut and completes all 72 holes, the fight for the prize now comes down to a duel between the pair over the final two rounds.

Martin Sampedro pointed to her affinity for links golf and the inspiring shadow of Spanish legend Seve Ballesteros, who famously captured his first Claret Jug at Royal Lytham in 1979 after his iconic recovery shot from a temporary car park at the 16th hole.

"I really like playing links golf courses and I hadn't played this one before," Martin Sampedro said. "I heard great things, and it’s obviously a very important place for Spanish golf with Seve. I really like playing links golf. It requires a lot of creativity, strategy becomes an even more important factor.

"After last year's experience I knew that I could do well here and I was confident about my game."

If Martin Sampedro maintains her advantage through Sunday, she will become only the second player to win the Smyth Salver outright in consecutive years.