Boutier recorded four birdies against two bogeys on Friday to sit at seven-under for the tournament at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains.

Lee shot an even-par 71 to go with Thursday's 69 to remain in the hunt on a tough day of scoring when only 14 players managed under-par rounds.

The World No 7 had two birdies and two bogeys on each nine to finish five behind Boutier at two-under.

After finishing with four-straight birdies in her opening round, Hannah Green built on her momentum with a birdie on the 2nd.

But it all went downhill from there for the 2019 KPMG Women's PGA champion who made a double bogey and seven bogeys, including one at the very last that cost her a place on the weekend, in a round of 79.

Young Australians Stephanie Kyriacou (74, 71) and Karis Davidson (73, 72) are both at three-over, while Sarah Kemp (73, 73) made the four-over cut on the number.

RIGHT: France's Celine Boutier leads at the halfway mark of the Evian Championship. PHOTO: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

Boutier, a three-time LPGA Tour winner who is seeking her first career major title, was born a little more than five hours southeast of Evian-les-Bains in Clamart.

Boutier, 29, holds a one-stroke lead over Patty Tavatanakit (67) of Thailand and Japan's Yuka Saso (69).

Mexican Gaby Lopez (68), Alison Lee (71) of the United States and Japan's Nasa Hataoka (67) reside in a three-way tie for fourth at five-under, one stroke ahead of South Korean Hae Ran Ryu (71) and two in front of a foursome that includes Brooke Henderson (70) and first round leader Paula Reto (75) of South Africa.

Spain's Carlota Ciganda was disqualified on Friday after arguing a slow-play penalty and refusing to sign her score card.

Ciganda, 33, lost her appeal of the two-stroke penalty incurred on her final hole.

She carded a round of one-over 72 but left the scoring tent without signing her card, prompting the disqualification.