SOUTHAMPTON, New York: World number one Park In-Bee, chasing her third major title of the year, fired a four-under par 72 on Friday to take the US Women’s Open lead just as fog halted the second round.
The South Korean superstar had a nine-under par total of 135 and a two-stroke lead over compatriot IK Kim. Kim was in the clubhouse on seven-under 137 after a three-under 69 that included five birdies and two bogeys.
American Lizette Salas carded a 72 at Sebonack Golf Club for a four-under total of 140. England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff was four-under for the tournament through 15 holes when play was halted yesterday. “I think we got very lucky that we finished today,” said Park, who capped her round with the last of her six birdies at the par-five 18th.
“I played very good golf today. I gave myself a lot of good opportunities, a very good ball-striking day. The long putts seemed to be going well today. I left a couple out there, but very satisfied with today’s score.”
Park, whose five titles in 2013 include major triumphs at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and the LPGA Championship, opened her round with a birdie at the first. She had two bogeys and two more birdies in her outward run, then gathered steam on the back nine. At the 13th, she hit a wedge over the green but made a 20-footer for birdie. At 15 she landed a sand wedge within a foot before draining a 12-footer at the last. “I’d say it was a little tougher to play in the fog, but I made a birdie so I don’t think it really came into effect for me,” she said. “I was able to see the pin on the third shot, so I think that was good enough.”
Overnight rain softened the course, but players found it windier, with the conditions changing frequently from sunny to overcast to foggy and back. That made a good round all the more satisfying, Park said.
“It really made me think today that with the wind and fog, it just really made me think. I think that is what the US Open is all about.”
Kim had five birdies and two bogeys in her three-under 69. She missed a 12-foot birdie putt at her final hole of the day, the ninth, but emerged with the clubhouse lead on seven-under 137. AFP
