Evian, France | AFP | Friday 7/29/2023 – 02:09 Celine Boutier birdied the final hole from five feet to head the field at the halfway stage of the Evian Championship on Friday and raise hopes of a home victory in the women's major.

It was a tough second day with strong winds, testing pin conditions and a round stretching to close to six hours. It was a test of patience and stamina as much as golf.

But Boutier, two off the lead following an opening 66, posted a fine 69 for seven under par and edged one clear of Thailand's Patti Tavatanakit and Japan's Yuka Saso, who both won majors in 2021.

But it was a poor day for New Zealand's Lydia Ko, who won the title as an 18-year-old in 2015. Joint second overnight, she dropped back to even par after a disappointing 76.

Boutier has had top tens in all the other four women's majors but has never finished higher that 29th in seven appearances in the French member of the big five.

"It's definitely not easy playing at home," admitted the 29-year-old who has won three times in America.

"I don't think I've handled it very well in the past.

"I put pressure on myself and didn't want to let people down. But I've learned just to focus on my game. This year it's been fun hitting good shots and hearing people cheering for me."

She added: "It was a very positive end to the round. Tomorrow's conditions are going to be windy again so I'm just going to try and stay very patient."

Tavatanakit started at the tenth and dropped a shot at the 11th.

But birdies at the 12th and 14th set her back on course and the joint best of day 67 raised hopes of adding another major to the 2021 Chevron Championship.

"I've got very special memories coming here. I played in the Palmer Cup as an amateur and I fell in love with Europe," said the 23-year-old.