Smith weathers rain to lead U.S. 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-par 67 Friday at Shoal Creek. Smith got her round in before a 2-hour, 49-minute delay caused by thunderstorms, weather that forced play to be halted.
Now, she enters the weekend leading a major championship, unfamiliar territory, but also with 36 holes down.
Other contenders such as Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn still must finish Round 2, which will be completed Saturday. Half the field didn’t finish the round.
Smith is at 10-under 134 after failing to make the cut in five of her previous six U.S. Women’s Open tries and having missed the cut in five straight LPGA Tour events this year.
At Dublin, Ohio, Joaquin Niemann, a 19-year-old Chilean in his fifth pro start, shot 4-under 68 for an 11-under 133 total and a share of a two-stroke lead with Kyle Stanley (66) after two rounds of the Memorial.
Byeon Hun An (67) was alone in second, and Jason Day (68) and Hideki Matsuyama (71) were in a five-man group at three shots back. Tiger Woods (67) holed out from 97 yards for eagle on the par-5 11th but, after a 90-minute weather delay, missed four putts of less than 7 feet and fell six strokes off the pace.
At Brescia, Italy, Martin Kaymer of Germany shot an 8-under 63 for an 11-under 131 total and a onestroke lead over Graeme Mcdowell (66), Francesco Molinari (66), Rafa Cabrera Bello (67), Thomas Pieters (67), Danny Willett (67) in the Italian Open.
At Peachtree City, Ga., Hall of Fame pitcher John Smoltz, 51, qualified for the U.S. Senior Open, slated for June 28 to July 1 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, by shooting 3-under 69 through regulation in an 18-hole qualifier and emerging from a three-man playoff.
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