Minjee Lee and Hannah Green on edge of contention at Erin Hills
Minjee Lee during today’s second round – image courtesy of USGA
There are just a dozen or so golfers left to complete round two of the Women’s US Open at the Erin Hills Golf Club near Milwaukee, but their performance when they return to complete their opening 36 holes will have little bearing on either the lead or those making the cut.
A weather delay caused play to eventually be called for darkness at 8.25 pm with Japan’s Mao Saigo ahead by three over a group of six players following her second round of 66 as she looks to become the third Japanese winner of the event in the last five years.
Of the seven Australasians in the event, Minjee Lee and Hannah Green lead the way, the pair tied for 19th and seven shots from Saigo’s lead, but only three shots out of second place.
Lee bogeyed the last to provide a disappointing finish to an otherwise encouraging round of 69 while Green was round in 70 to improve to 2 under from her overnight level par, but looked ahead to the weekend with some positive thoughts.
“I think it was just a really quick turnaround, so I got back at like 8:00 and then came back out here — I was up at like 4:30 this morning. I think a little bit of rest this afternoon and just try and save the legs a little bit, do some recovery. I think that will be the main test. It’s such a mental challenge.
“I think just being physically and mentally a little sounder coming into the weekend would be nice. I think just play aggressively when I can and play smart when I have to. I think that’s going to be the key.”
Lydia Ko produced a final nine of 33 to be at even par and in a share of 37th place and not entirely without hope of completing a grand slam of current major titles, having won the Evian Championship, the KPMG PGA Championship, and the AIG Women’s Open in previous years.
Of the other Australasians, Stephanie Kyriacou, Gabi Ruffels, Grace Kim, and Jenny Elliot all missed out on a chance to play the final 36 holes.
