Conservative approach reaps rewards for Korda
Jessica Korda’s risk-averse strategy paid off as she took the clubhouse lead in the second round of the US Women’s Open.
Korda, a five-times LPGA Tour winner, bided her time and picked off three birdies, two of them at par fives, for a three-under 68 at Country Club of Charleston.
The American posted a fiveunder 137 halfway total, one stroke better than amateur Gina Kim, who followed up an outstanding first round with a respectable 72 that kept her in the mix. First-round leader Mamiko Higa, of Japan, had a late tee time after setting the early pace with an opening 65.
Korda, who along with sister Nelly makes up the best sister duo in women’s golf, stuck with a disciplined game plan. Her only bogey of the week came at the 12th hole on Thursday, when she got too aggressive with a short approach shot and flew her ball into trouble beyond the green. “I played pretty conservatively,” she said. “I was trying to be more aggressive on the par fives, where I could take advantage.”
Meanwhile, Troy Merritt took an early second-round lead at the Memorial in Dublin, Ohio. He made three birdie putts from outside 12 feet, chipped in for eagle and had everything his way until a few errant shots to close his round. He wound up with a six-under 66 for a two-round total of 135, two ahead of Bud Cauley, Adam Scott (66), Rickie Fowler (68), Patrick Cantlay (69) and Emiliano Grillo. Phil Mickelson’s 79 matched his worst score in 19 appearances at the event.
Englishman Chris Paisley secured top seeding at the Belgian Knockout after producing his second round of 65 in Antwerp yesterday.
Steady as you go: Jessica Korda has had just one bogey so far at the US Women’s Open The 33-year-old recorded seven birdies and a solitary bogey on day two to finish the traditional strokeplay phase of the tournament on 12 under. Paisley leads the 64 players – 32 from each side of the draw – who progress to the weekend’s knockout stages.
Early starter Anton Karlsson was a shot behind Paisley on 11 under, with Justin Walters and Espen Kofstad in a tie for third, two strokes further back.