A missed cut doesn’t often lead to many smiles of satisfaction but at least Catriona Matthew could afford herself a little grin of contentment as she gazed over the leaderboard at the AIG Women’s British Open.

While she wouldn’t have liked the figures that were parked next to her name – the 2009 champion posted a 76 to make an early exit on a five-over tally – the sight of a new generation of British golfers, as well as a few other Europeans, in the upper echelons of the standings on day two at Woburn was as comforting on the eye as an alluring slab of Victoria Sponge.

With the Solheim Cup just over a month away, Europe’s captain is seeing her team taking shape and signs of encouragement are always gratefully received.

“It’s looking great isn’t?,” purred Matthew as the likes of Bronte Law, Georgia Hall and Charley Hull spearheaded the home assault on an international leaderboard.

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“The more players playing well, the better it is for me. Ideally you want all 12 playing well. It’s great to see Georgia coming back into form as she’s struggled a bit this year.”

Matthew was grouped with Law for the opening two rounds and the young Stockport golfer put on a fine show in front of the skipper as she seeks a wild card pick.

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With a great pedigree in the matchplay nip-and-tuck, Law can surely scribble the Gleneagles showpiece into her diary.

“She’s in with a pretty good chance,” added Matthew. “ In certain situations she seems to hole a putt at the right moment to keep it all together.

“You can sense she wants it (the pick). There are a lot of them wanting a spot but, yes, she’s up for it.”

Matthew, who was joined on the halfway casualty list by fellow Scots, Kylie Henry and Carly Booth, just didn’t get going on day two.

“It was just scrappy,” she said. “Bronte holed the putts you have to hole and I missed them. You don’t get any momentum after that.”