Australian Smith extends lead at US Women’s Open

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Sarah Jane Smith outpaced the thunderstorms and the rest of the field at the U.S. Women’s Open.

The Australian extended her lead to four strokes after a second straight 5-under 67 Friday at Shoal Creek. Smith got her round in before a 2-hour, 49-minute delay caused by thunderstorms, weather that ultimately forced play to be halted with a little daylight left.

Now, she enters the weekend leading a major championship, unfamiliar territory, but also with 36 holes down. Other contenders like Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn still must finish Round 2, which will be completed on Saturday with the low 60 scorers plus ties making the cut. Half the field didn’t finish the round.

Smith is at 10-under 134 heading into the weekend after failing to make the cut in five of her previous six U.S. Women’s Open tries.

Smith has staged a strong comeback after having missed the cut in five straight LPGA Tour events this year, even switching back to an old set of clubs

She opened the day in a three-way tie atop the leaderboard with Jutanugarn and Korean Jeongeun6 Lee.

Jutanugarn had an opening birdie to move to 6 under through eight holes. Lee fell back to 2 under with a secondday 75. Korean-born Su-Hyun Oh shot 68 and is also 6 under.

EUROPEAN TOUR: Martin Kaymer carded an 8-under 63 to take a one-stroke lead at the Italian Open in Brescia. Five golfers sit a stroke behind at 10-under at Gardagolf Country Club, including former major winners Danny Willett and Graeme McDowell. LPGA’S LINCICOME TO PLAY IN PGA EVENT: Brittany Lincicome is set to join an elite group — female professionals playing in a PGA Tour event. Lincicome said she was asked to play in the Barbasol Championship in Kentucky on July 19-22. Other female pros who have played in a PGA Tour event include Michelle Wie, Babe Zaharias, Annika Sorenstam and Suzy Whaley. Sarah Jane Smith extended her lead with a 5-under 67 during Friday’s second round of the US Women’s Open.