SASO LOSES SOME GROUND BUT REMAINS SOLIDLY IN THE MIX
Philippines’ Yuka Saso scrambled well enough to salvage a one-underpar 71 on Friday and stay firmly in contention in the AIG Women’s Open now being jointly led by England’s Georgia Hall and American Mina Harigae.
Saso, the reigning Women’s US Open champion, had three birdies against two bogeys for a 139 36-hole aggregate, just two shots off Hall and Harigae, even as first round leader and reigning Olympic champion Nelly Korda of the United States carded a 73 to be three adrift the pace.
Harigae, winless on the Ladies Professional Golf Association, fired a 67 and Hall, the champion three years ago at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, assembled a 69 to lead the duo of South Korea’s Sei Young-kim and American Lizette Salas, who submitted a 71 and 69, respectively.
“So far, the best part of my game has been my putting,” Saso said despite needing 31 putts in the second round. “I need to work on my tee shots and short game.”
Bad weather coming
With little more than a breeze and plenty of sun, Carnoustie has yet to live up to its billing as one of the world’s toughest courses.
But that could change if the harsh weather forecast for the North Sea coast of Scotland this weekend does indeed hit the links.
“I think it makes it more interesting for everyone if it’s windy,” said the 25-year-old Hall. “It’s a truer test and I am excited at the thought of playing in rougher conditions.
“Some of the other players might not be so used to tough, links weather, but I know I can do it. I also know that I am more experienced than I was in 2018.”
American Lexi Thompson is in that huge group with Saso after a 70, as she tries to put herself in position toward making up for her US Open collapse where she bungled a formidable back nine lead and failed to join Saso and Japan’s Hataoka Nasa in a playoff won by the Filipino ace.