Mel Reid is on a big hunt at the Women’s PGA Championship nine months after her retirement

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Mel Reid narrowly moved to the lead in the second women’s major of the year – nine months after retiring from golf.

Ireland’s Leona Maguire had four late birdies (68) in a second round to take the half-time lead at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in New Jersey, ahead of a four-loser group that also included England’s Reid after scoring 67 counted.

She was joined by China’s Xiyu Lin and Norwegian rookie Celine Borge with first-round leader Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa and Australia’s Minjee Lee chasing their second major title after a 67th round in the second round.

For Reid, it’s a big change from deciding to quit the game through injury.

“I really quit,” she said. “When I got my injury I was trying to play through and I kind of felt like I had to do it. In September, I literally said to Carly (her wife), “I’m going to the media, I don’t play golf anymore.”

“If you just give me a little space with things like that, I can kind of figure it out on my own.

“I lacked the competitive factor and thought we should try again. I just really enjoyed it this year.”

Maguire birdied four of her last six holes, taking the halftime lead in a major for the first time.

“This is new territory for me,” said Maguire. “Whatever happens this week I’m sure I’ll learn a lot and just use it day by day.

“I think this golf course demands that. I think you can’t think more than a shot ahead, let alone a hole or a round ahead.”

Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow shot 68 in the second round to join an under par group that included just 15 players under par on the Lower Course at Baltusrol.

World number 9 Lexi Thompson birdied her last four holes and snuck into the cut with four over par, but England’s Georgia Hall, Charley Hull, Bronte Law and Laura Davies all missed, as did the number two of the world, Nelly Korda, and number four, Lilia Vi and number six Atthaya Thitikul.