This is the fourth consecutive year that Amy Yang has been in the top 3 through 36 holes in the U.S. Women’s Open. Yang was tied for third in 2014 at Pinehurst No. 2, led by three strokes in 2015 at Lancaster Country Club, was tied for second in 2016 at CordeValle and is tied for second again this year.
Hye-Jin Choi’s 6-under 138 is the second-lowest 36-hole total by an amateur in U.S. Women’s Open history. Grace Park was at 7-under 137 through two rounds in 1999 at Old Waverly Country Club. Choi, the low amateur at CordeValle in 2016,is also tied for second through two rounds. It is the first time an amateur has been in that position through 36 holes since Michelle Wie was tied for second in 2005 at Cherry Hills Country Club.
Jeongeun6 Lee, who is tied for second in her first U.S. Women’s Open, on why a “6” was added to her name: “There are five other girls with the same name [Jeongeun] on the [Korean] LPGA. The name of my fan club is actually Lucky 6.”
Shanshan Feng (8-under 136) has led the U.S. Women’s Open after each of the first two rounds. She is seeking to become the first start-to-finish winner, with no ties, since Hollis Stacy in 1977.
Michelle Wie withdrew from the championship after completing one hole in the second round, citing a neck injury. “The [U.S. Women’s Open] is by far one of my favorite tournaments and I was looking forward to playing this event all year,” Wie wrote on Twitter Friday morning. “I SO BADLY wanted to play today and the rest of the week … Unfortunately based on the short turnaround from last night’s round to this morning, I haven’t been able to recover enough to play to my full potential today.”
😔😔😔😔 pic.twitter.com/iFR7MHAHjt
— Michelle Wie (@themichellewie) July 14, 2017
Rachel Heck (2-over 146) is the youngest player (15 years, 8 months, 22 days) to make the cut in the U.S. Women's Open since Nelly Korda (14/11/0) in 2013. She is one of five amateurs (out of 21 to start) who remain in the championship.
While 2010 champion Paula Creamer’s missed cut broke the longest active streak (13) in the U.S. Women’s Open, two-time champion Karrie Webb, Stacy Lewis and defending champion Brittany Lang will all be playing the weekend for the 10th consecutive year.
Jacqui Concolino made a hole-in-one on the 171-yard fourth hole in the second round using a 5-iron. It is the 25th ace in the history of the championship. “It caught the ridge and we all watched as it slowly rolled into the hole,” said Concolino. “I jumped into my caddie's arms when it went in. This was my fourth or fifth hole-in-one in competition, but to get one in the [U.S. Women’s Open] is particularly special.”
Put @concgolf down for a 1⃣ on No. 4. #USWomensOpen https://t.co/uPgtSCYTld
— USGA (@USGA) July 14, 2017
Brooke Henderson (3-under 141) played her first 30 holes of the championship bogey-free. That is the longest stretch to start a U.S. Women’s Open since I.K. Kim went 32 holes in 2011. “I feel like I could have gotten a little bit more out of today's round,” said Henderson, 19, of Canada. “But any time you are shooting under par in a major championship you have to be happy.”
Twelve of the top 13 players on the leader board are international players. New Jersey’s Marina Alex is the lone American in that group.
Michael Trostel is the senior content producer for the USGA. Email him at mtrostel@usga.org.
