Krystle Caithness, the St Andrews rookie lying 38th on the Order of Merit, had half a dozen birdies in an impressive second round of 70 and was lying in joint 23rd place at the halfway stage of the Randstad French Women’s Open at Arras.  

Becky Brewerton, the Welsh Solheim Cup player, shot a terrific 67 to take the lead on seven under par, one ahead of the trio of Spain’s Anna Larraneta (68), France’s Caroline Afonso (67) and Austrian Nicole Gergely (67).

On one under par, 20-year-old Caithness was the top Scot, two ahead of fellow-rookie Vikki Laing, who had a second round 73. Yet another rookie, Pamela Feggans, was the third Scot to make the cut after a 75 for three over par. 

But the two experienced players missed the weekend. Clare Queen was one too many on four over par following a 74, while Lynn Kenny slumped to an 80 for eight over par.