Catriona Matthew hails '˜one of best rounds ever'

North Berwick's Catriona Matthew has enjoyed many great rounds, but even she was impressed with her seven under 65 '“ the best of the day '“ in the second round at the Ricoh Women's British Open at Woburn.

Catriona Matthew holed seven birdies. Picture: David Cannon/Getty Images

Her stunning seven birdies shot her up into joint fourth place on nine under par and just two shots off the halfway lead held by South Korea’s Mirim Lee.

Matthew was the top Briton, four shots ahead of the local girl Charley Hull. The pair will be playing together in Team GB at the Olympics in Rio next month.

“It one of my best rounds ever, certainly one of my best for ball striking,” said the delighted Matthew, who won the title at Royal Lytham and St Annes in 2009 when daughter Sophie was just 11 weeks old.

“I had seven birdies and had a few more chances. Now I just want to give myself a chance on Sunday. The crowd was fantastic and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”

Katie, nine, and Sophie are now at school in North Berwick, and that has curtailed Dad Graeme’s travels. He used to caddie full-time for his wife, but this week is a rare return to heaving the bag.

“It is nice to have him here,” said Catriona, the only scot to make the cut. “It seems a long time since we travelled all the time together.

“Graeme will be coming with me to the Olympics, which will be fun. Getting to Rio has been an ambition for the past couple of years.

“We fly out on August 12 and then have a few days before the golf starts. We’re hoping to go and watch some of the athletics, try and take in Super Saturday.”

Lee had a 71 to set alongside her opening course record 62 and she led by one from China’s Shanshan Feng and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn.