Amy Yang of South Korea rolled in four consecutive birdies on her way to a four-under 66 to seize a three-stroke lead after Friday’s second round of the US Women’s Open.
Yang, who moved to Australia as a teen and now plays out of Orlando, Florida, stood on seven-under 133 after 36 holes at Lancaster Country Club, recording the second-lowest halfway score in tournament history as she pressed for her first major title.
The 25-year-old has six top-five finishes in majors, but has never won a major crown — her nearest effort coming when she was runner-up of the 2012 US Women’s Open.
Photo: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY
The only lower first 36 holes in tournament history came in 1994, when Helen Alfredsson of Sweden fired a 132.
Yang birdied the 11th through 14th holes to seize command, hitting 15 greens in regulation and missing only two fairways.
“I have been hitting it very solid throughout the week and it is important to keep the ball on the fairway, especially with this big, long rough,” Yang said. “I had good fairway regulation. Just mostly my swing was really good.”
Yang, ranked 15th, has never won a US title, taking two wins each on the European and South Korean tours, and winning her two LPGA titles in South Korea in 2013 and earlier this year in Thailand.
Yang welcomed the difficult course setups typical of US Women’s Opens.
“I just enjoy it out here. I know the golf courses are very tough and I make sure I am patient on the course. I just enjoy the tough condition golf courses,” she said.
Sharing second on 136 were Stacy Lewis of the US and Shiho Oyama of Japan, with American Marina Alex another stroke back. Third-ranked Lewis seeks her first victory of the year and is scheduled to join Yang in Saturday’s final pairing. Oyama, who has spent almost her entire career in Japan, fired a 66 to stay on Yang’s heels.
Top-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea was among six players on 138, a pack that also included Karrie Webb of Australia, Rumi Yoshiba of Japan, Chun In-gee of South Korea and Americans Morgan Pressel and Jane Park.
Taiwan’s Min Lee was one stroke behind on 139, while compatriots Candie Kung and Teresa Lu fired 141 and 142 respectively.
Overnight thunderstorms on Thursday slowed the greens, Yang said.
“It was a little slower, but everyone is playing in the same conditions,” she said.
Lewis, who began on the back nine, had three birdies on the front side of the course to stay in the hunt.
“I just started playing golf,” Lewis said. “I was thinking a lot those first 10, 11 holes ... about my golf swing and just not playing. So I got to just playing golf. I hit the irons today probably the best I have hit them in a really long time, so it was really nice.”
In all, 63 players made the cut at 144, with Taiwan’s Yani Tseng, Hsu Wei-ling and Babe Liu all missing out after firing 145, 148 and 155 respectively.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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