Wie surges clear at US Open
American Michelle Wie commands a three shot lead after finishing on 68 at the women’s major event in Pinehurst.
Michelle Wie stamped her authority on the US Women’s Open at the halfway stage when she raced into a three-shot lead over fellow American Lexi Thompson after the second round in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
On a day when 11-year-old Lucy Li played respectably but missed the cut, former child prodigy Wie birdied her final two
holes, rolling in a curling 15-footer at the last with her stooped cross-handed putting style for a second consecutive two-under-par 68 at Pinehurst number two course.
I think the US Open as an American is one of the most important tournaments, but at the same time Sunday is a very, very long time, far away.
She posted a four-under 136 total, while Thompson also shot 68 to end the day the only other player under par, setting the stage for a possible battle with Wie for the second successive major.
First round leader, American Stacy Lewis, carded 73 to slip four strokes behind with South Korean Yang Amy (69) and Australian amateur Minjee Lee (71).
“Yesterday I was thinking if I just did this again, that would be nice,” Wie told reporters.
“It’s a grind out there. (I’m) really grateful for the par putts that I made and some of the birdie putts that I made.”
Wie, 24, has been playing in the US Open since 2003, so she understands that the halfway lead does guarantee anything.
“Being in contention, having the clubhouse lead for now, I’m just really excited for the weekend,” she continued.
“I think the US Open as an American is one of the most important tournaments, but at the same time Sunday is a very, very long time, far away.”
Finally fulfilling promise
Wie has been in the public eye for more than a decade. In 2004, she came within one stroke of making the cut against the men on the PGA Tour at the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Her career stalled for a few years, but this season she is second behind Lewis on the LPGA money list thanks to a victory and a collection of top 10 finishes.
The Women’s version of the event is being played on the same course where German Martin Kaymer won the men’s US Open last week.