South Korea’s Kim In-kyung took control of the thunderstorm-delayed US Women’s Open by moving two strokes clear after 14 holes at four-under-par overall, before darkness halted play in the second round on Friday.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s world No. 1 Yani Tseng, who clinched the LPGA Championship two weeks ago, seemed somewhat out of sorts, particularly with her putting.
Having opened earlier in the day with a first-round 73, Tseng was seven shots off the pace at three-over after 16 holes, which included four bogeys and three birdies.
Photo: AFP
Tseng’s second round was cut short because of more rain and darkness at The Broadmoor course in Colorado Springs.
“I just have to be patient. You are not going to win it on the first day,” Tseng said. “I was very happy to get on the course.”
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu has a share of 18th place after a two-over 73 first round.
However, her compatriots did not fare as well, as Candie Kung managed a five-over in her first round, Amy Hung posted a 10-over through 15 holes of her second round and Doris Chen shot 13-over through 13 holes of her second round.
Tseng said her putting and distance calculations both gave her problems.
Playing 34 holes in one day, the Taiwanese star said she found it really difficult to gauge distances on the high-altitude course, where the air was thinner than she was used to.
The 22-year-old said she could hardly get the ball near the hole and made many putting errors because the ball rolled more slowly on the greens than during her practice sessions.
However, she was not disheartened by her performance, writing in a Facebook post after the long day: “Let’s make some more birdies out there.”
The Florida-based player said a bath and a good stretch would get her mentally prepared again and boost her self-confidence the rest of the way.
Kim, at 23 and bidding for her first major title, has enjoyed outstanding success in her last three Open appearances, tying for third in 2008 and 2009, and finishing fourth last year.
Tied for second place were Americans Wendy Ward after 15 holes, first-round leader Stacy Lewis after 16 and unheralded amateur Amy Anderson.
Lewis, who won the year’s first major and her maiden LPGA Tour title at the Kraft Nabisco Championship in April, held a three-shot lead after seven holes of her second round.
However, she began to self-destruct when play resumed after an hour-long storm delay late on Friday, recording a bogey at the 14th and a double bogey at the 15th.
Only 33 players in the field managed to complete the 36 holes, including clubhouse leaders Angela Stanford (70) and fellow American Lizette Salas (73), who both finished at even-par 142.
Paula Creamer kept herself in the mix after opening with a 72.
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