World number one Nelly Korda surged into serious contention for her first US Women’s Open title with an impressive second-round 67 at Erin Hills. The American player, after posting an even-par score on Thursday, followed it with seven birdies and two bogeys on Friday, placing her in a six-way tie for second place at five-under par.
Mao Saigo Sets the Pace with a Solo Lead
Korda trails Japan’s Mao Saigo, who took the outright lead with a 66 on the second day, holding a three-shot advantage. Saigo recently claimed her first LPGA Tour victory at the Chevron Championship in a playoff and is aiming to capture her second major title this week. Meanwhile, Korda leads the pack of players chasing Saigo, riding the momentum from her best round of the tournament.
Improved Putting Boosts Korda’s Performance
After a slow start Thursday, where she only made a birdie on the 18th hole, Korda’s day improved considerably on Friday. She credited her putting form for the turnaround, noting the difference it made on her round.
“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,”
Korda said.
She also reflected on her past struggles in this championship but expressed satisfaction with her current position heading into the weekend.
“I feel like I’ve had a very complicated relationship with U.S. Opens, but I’m happy to be in the position I am heading into the weekend,”
she added.
Other Notable Performances Amid Weather Delays
Play was briefly suspended for approximately an hour due to weather concerns as 18 players, including 2020 champion A Lim Kim, were still completing their rounds. Among the British contenders, Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh is tied for 12th at three-under par, while England’s Charley Hull is positioned tied for 44th at one-over par. The field remains tightly packed as the third round approaches.
Live Coverage and Upcoming Rounds
The US Women’s Open continues with live coverage available on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports+ beginning at 6 pm on Saturday. Fans can anticipate further shifts on the leaderboard as Korda and other contenders pursue the prestigious major title on the challenging Erin Hills course.