Staff Reporter.
World No 1 Nelly Korda rocketed into contention for her first US Women’s Open title with a second-round score of 67 at Erin Hills.
The American followed up Thursday’s even round by carding seven birdies and two bogeys on Friday to sit among a group of six players tied for second on five under par.
Korda trails Japan’s Mao Saigo by three shots after the 23-year-old took the outright lead with a round of 66.
Korda features among a group of six players tied in second, including compatriots Sarah Schmelzel and Yealimi Noh, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, South Korea’s Kim A-lim and Sweden’s Maja Stark.
“I feel like I’ve had a very complicated relationship with U.S. Opens,” Korda said. “But I’m happy to be in the position I am heading into the weekend.
“Honestly, I was hitting really good putts yesterday. I was hitting it exactly where I wanted to and they just weren’t falling. It was one of those days. Today I did the same thing.”
British players Charley Hull, Gemma Dryburgh and Lottie Woad sat four shots off the lead after round one, on level par, but they experienced mixed fortunes on Friday.
Dryburgh had the best of it among the contingent, with a round of 69 putting the Scot in a tie for 12th on three under par.
English amateur Woad had a two-under 70, while Hull, who tied for second at this tournament two years ago, was set to make the cut with nothing to spare after a 73 – with a handful of players left to complete their rounds on Saturday.
Ireland’s Leona Maguire was certain to miss out on the weekend’s action after adding a 72 to her opening 76. Three birdies in her opening seven holes on Friday were wiped out by a triple bogey seven at the 11th.