U.S. Women's Open 2021: Yuka Saso Leads at 6 Under After 2nd-round 67
Jun 5, 2021
Yuka Saso, of the Philippines, plays her shot from the 15th tee during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at The Olympic Club, Friday, June 4, 2021, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
The U.S. Women's Open is Yuka Saso's to lose.
The 19-year-old shot a four-under 67 during Friday's second round at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., and is one shot clear of the rest of the field at six-under for the tournament.
Saso finds herself atop the leaderboard in large part due to her dominance on the par-three holes.
She birdied three of the four par-threes on the course, underscoring her ability to hit pinpoint iron shots and take advantage of the opportunities on the green. It helped her make up for bogeys on Nos. 4 and 12, as did her three other birdies on par-four holes.
BOOM! đ„
Yuka Saso birdies her final hole and is the clubhouse leader at 6-under#USWomensOpen
If Saso starts to capitalize on the par-five holes after posting par on five of the first six through the opening two rounds, the rest of the field, including Jeongeun Lee6, will be in significant trouble.
While Lee6 is in second place and just a shot back after tallying birdies on three of the last four holes, perhaps nobody in that field is a bigger storyline at this point than high school student Megha Ganne.
The 17-year-old battled fog and windy conditions on the way to an even-par 71 after she shot a four-under 67 in the opening round.
"I wish every event I had a gallery watching me because it just makes me play better, I think."
Amateur Megha Ganne is ready for the spotlight this weekend at the @uswomensopen
She is just two strokes back of the lead and has a golden opportunity to challenge for the major title during the first U.S. Women's Open at The Olympic Club in history.
The course that has hosted five U.S. Opens on the men's side did not admit women as members until 1992.
Elsewhere, seven-time major winner Inbee Park could make history as well in the first U.S. Women's Open at the course. She is within striking distance at two-under after shooting a 69 on Friday and knows how to navigate the pressure of major weekends.
U.S. Women's Open 2021: Leaders, Notable Names Going into Round 2
Jun 4, 2021
Megha Ganne waves after hit putt on the 16th green during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at The Olympic Club, Thursday, June 3, 2021, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
American amateur Megha Ganne and Brit Mel Reid were tied for the lead after the first round of the 2021 U.S. Women's Open at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.
Ahead of the second round, here is a look at the leaderboard courtesy of USGA.org:
T1. Megha Ganne: -4 (67)
T1. Mel Reid: -4 (67)
T3. Megan Khang: -3 (68)
T3. Brooke Henderson: -3 (68)
T3. Angel Yin: -3 (68)
T6. Shanshan Feng: -2 (69)
T6. Lexi Thompson: -2 (69)
T6. Yuka Saso: -2 (69)
T9. Seven players at -1 (70)
Ganne has been the story of the tournament thus far, as she is a 17-year-old high school student from New Jersey, per Stina Sternberg of Discovery Golf.
According to the Associated Press (h/t LPGA.com), Ganne is the first amateur in 15 years to hold a share of the lead at the end of any round in the U.S. Women's Open.
After the round, Ganne spoke to reporters and said she felt much more comfortable this time around than prior to her first entry in the U.S. Women's Open:
Megha Ganne, a 17-year-old high school junior, shoots 4-under 67 to earn a share of the lead at the U.S. Women's Open.pic.twitter.com/cBlloP29um
While Ganne is in prime position after one round, there are many big names within a few shots of her, including 2016 Women's PGA Championship winner Brooke Henderson and 2014 ANA Inspiration winner Lexi Thompson. Henderson is tied for third at three under, while Thompson is tied for sixth at two under.
There are also two huge stars lurking just outside the top 10 in Lydia Ko and Inbee Park, who are tied for 16th at even par.
Ko is a two-time major champion and Park has won seven, although Park is without a major win since 2015.
Both Ko and Park have a legitimate chance to add to their major title totals if they can close the gap a bit during Friday's second round.
One final big name to watch is Michelle Wie West, who is seven shots off the pace and tied for 54th at three-over.
Wie West was once a teenage prodigy like Ganne, and while she didn't become the dominant force many expected, she did win the 2014 U.S. Women's Open.
If Wie West is able to get in the mix, it would be fitting considering how well an American amateur like Ganne is playing in the early going.
LPGA HOFer Juli Inkster to Join 2021 U.S. Women's Open Qualifier at Age 60
Apr 13, 2021
AUCHTERARDER, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 15: Team USA captain Juli Inkster looks on from the first tee during the final day singles matches of the Solheim Cup at Gleneagles on September 15, 2019 in Auchterarder, Scotland. (Photo by Andrew Redington/WME IMG/WME IMG via Getty Images)
Winning the U.S. Women's Open would be nothing new for Juli Inkster, who did so in 1999 and 2002.
But it would be quite remarkable if she did it in 2021 at the age of 60.
Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek reported Inkster will participate in the 36-hole qualifier on April 26 at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. If she qualifies, she will join the field for the 76th edition of the U.S. Women's Open at the Olympic Club's Lake Course in San Francisco for the June 3-6 tournament.
"I'm probably an idiot for trying, but I think I would be disappointed in myself if I didn't because it's so close to home," Inkster said.
The LPGA Hall of Famer lives near the course and has played it approximately 50 times.
Going from qualifying to first place is not unheard of, as Hilary Lunke (2003) and Birdie Kim (2005) won the U.S. Women's Open in such fashion.
Inkster will look to join them.
Women's PGA Championship 2020: Tee Times, Dates, TV Schedule, LPGA Prize Money
Oct 7, 2020
Nelly Korda watches her tee shot on the third hole during the final round of the LPGA's ANA Inspiration golf tournament at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
Having fallen just short in the ANA Inspiration, Nelly Korda heads to Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, on a mission as the 2020 Women's PGA Championship prepares to tee off.
Korda was one of three golfers tied for the lead in the ANA Inspiration as the final round concluded. A birdie on the first playoff hole gave Mirim Lee the title. Lee and Korda will be two of the top contenders for the next major championship on the schedule.
The Women's PGA Championship will begin Thursday at 8:10 a.m. ET. The trio of Esther Henseleit, Ellen Ceresko and Jing Yan will start at No. 1 while Wichanee Meechai, Kristy McPherson and Jennifer Borocz take to the No. 10 tee.
Golf Channel and NBC are splitting the television coverage over the four days. The former will carry the bulk of the tournament, with the latter airing the conclusion of the third and fourth rounds.
Thursday, Oct. 8: 1-5 p.m., Golf Channel
Friday, Oct. 9: 1-5 p.m. ET, Golf Channel
Saturday, Oct. 10: 11 a.m.-12 p.m. ET Golf Channel; 12-3 p.m. ET, NBC
Sunday, Oct. 11: 10 a.m.-12 p.m. ET, Golf Channel; 12-2 p.m. ET, NBC
A total of $4.3 million will be on the line at Aronimink, an increase of $450,000 from last year's purse. It's also the third-biggest payout of the season, narrowly trailing the AIG Women's Open ($4.5 million) and falling behind the upcoming U.S. Women's Open ($5.5 million).
Korda is looking for her first major championship victory, and she remains winless over the abbreviated 2020 LPGA Tour calendar. She has finished in the top five in each of her last three tournaments, though, so this could be when the 22-year-old breaks through.
Perhaps Danielle Kang can add to what has already been a successful year. Her results haven't been great of late, though. She has one top-10 finish since notching back-to-back wins in the LPGA Drive On Championship and Marathon LPGA Classic in August.Â
Surely the 27-year-old's luck has to turn around at some point.
Kang is part of arguably the most interesting group to follow for the first two rounds. She's joined by 2016 Women's PGA Championship winner Brooke Henderson and reigning champion Hannah Green. The trio will tee off at 1:07 p.m. ET on Thursday and 8:27 a.m. ET on Friday.
— KPMG Women's PGA Championship (@KPMGWomensPGA) October 6, 2020
It's a pretty safe bet that at least one of Kang, Henderson or Green should be hanging around the top of the leaderboard for the majority of the tournament.
304th-Ranked Sophia Popov Wins 2020 Women's British Open
Aug 23, 2020
Sophia Popov of Germany follows through on her tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Marathon Classic LPGA golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, at the Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Despite entering the 2020 Women's British Open as the 304th-ranked player in the world with no LPGA Tour wins on her resume, Sophia Popov held off the field to win the prestigious major tournament at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland, on Sunday.Â
Popov, who entered the final round with a three-stroke lead, shot a three-under 68 on Sunday and finished at seven under for the tournament, two strokes ahead of Jasmine Suwannapura in second place.
It is fair to say that Popov is one of the most unlikely major champions in the history of golf, especially since she hadn't enjoyed much success on the LPGA Tour prior to this week, as pointed out by Monday Q Info:
Adam Shadoff of Fox35 in Orlando, Florida, compared Popov's win to two of the most shocking major championship results in PGA Tour history:
Shaun Micheel was 169 in the world when he won the PGA Championship. Ben Curtis was 396 and making his Major Championship debut when he won The Open. Sophia Popov is 304 in the world rankings if you want some perspective on whatâs happening at the @AIGWomensOpen right now.
No Laying Up provided a long list of reasons why few could have expected Popov to prevail at Royal Troon as well:
A great read for perspective on whatâs going on at the Womenâs British Open right now.
Sophia Popov:
-Doesnât have LPGA status -Ranked 304 in the world -Caddied for Anne van Dam at Inverness -Shared a push cart with Anne at Marathon -Leads the Womenâs British Open! https://t.co/Bn2Q1t5oFx
While Popov had a nice cushion entering the final round, a win was far from guaranteed since Jasmine Suwannapura and Minjee Lee were her closest competitors, and each had won multiple LPGA Tour tournaments in their careers.
Popov's fourth round got off to a shaky start with a bogey on the first, but she rebounded quickly with birdies on the second and third:
After playing steady golf and carding eight consecutive pars, Popov came through with her fourth birdie of the day on No. 15 thanks largely to a remarkable approach shot from the deep rough:
Wow. Sophia Popov with another birdie and she's on the brink of the biggest day of her career.Â
While Popov came through in the clutch and staved off those in pursuit of her, there was a time early in the final round when it seemed like Suwannapura or Lee might have a chance to chase her down.
From Nos. 4 through 7, Suwannapura carded four consecutive birdies, including this one on the par-five sixth:
She added another on the 16th, but Popov was already playing so well at that point that there was no chasing her down.
Although she never truly had a chance to contend, Inbee Park enjoyed one of the most impressive rounds of the tournament Sunday, as she shot a five-under 66, which featured seven birdies, including four in a row on the front nine:
The 32-year-old Park is one of the greatest female golfers of all time with seven major championships to her credit, and she showed that type of form Sunday by establishing herself as one of only four golfers to finish under par for the tournament.
For as good as Park was, the day belonged to Popov, as she went from a fairly anonymous golfer to an LPGA Tour star by winning the British Open.
Popov will forever be known as a major champion, but the big challenge now is proving it wasn't a fluke, and her first chance to show that in a major will be the ANA Inspiration beginning Sept. 10.
Women's British Open 2020: Sophia Popov Takes 3-Stroke Lead into Final Round
Aug 22, 2020
Sophia Popov of Germany putts on the first hole during the final round of the Marathon Classic LPGA golf tournament Sunday, Aug. 9, 2020, at the Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Germany's Sophia Popov surged into the lead at the Women's British Open on Saturday, as she shot a four-under 67Â in the third round at Royal Troon Golf Club in Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland.
Popov entered the day tied for second, one shot behind Dani Holmqvist, but Holmqvist fell apart and carded a six-over 77. Entering Sunday's final round, Popov sits at four under and holds a three-stroke lead over Minjee Lee and Jasmine Suwannapura in second.
Popov's place atop the leaderboard is unexpected to say the least, as she has never won an LPGA event and has never finished better than tied for 57th in a major championship.
Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek further explained just how improbable Popov leading the Women's British Open through 54 holes is:
Two weeks ago I'm talking to Sophia Popov about sharing a pull cart with Anne van Dam at the Marathon. Cool story given that Popov had caddied for van Dam at Inverness one week prior.
Now Popov leads a major championship on the weekend.
Popov made her first big move of the third round on the par-five fourth. Thanks to a beautiful, low drive that got her on the green in two, Popov managed to card an eagle and move into first place:
Stunning driver off the deck from Sophia Popov at the 4th. The German eagles to leapfrog the leaders and move to -2.#AIGWO#WorldClass
A Jasmine Suwannapura bogey on the 18th provided Popov with even more distance between her and the field, and she widened a bit more on the 17th with another birdie:
The two golfers who are three shots behind Popov in second, Lee and Suwannapura, both enjoyed solid days with rounds of two-under 69 to remain in the hunt.
Lee was looking especially good early on with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 3 and 4, and even shared the lead at one point:
Minjee Lee with a solid start. This birdie moves her to even par for the Championship#AIGWO#WorldClass
Suwannapura played the final four holes at one over, though, which kept her three off the pace behind Popov.
Popov has a nice cushion entering the fourth round, but her lead is far from safe given all Lee and Suwannapura have accomplished in their careers.
Lee is a five-time winner on the LPGA Tour and has finished 11th or better in ever major tournament. Meanwhile, Suwannapura has two LPGA Tour wins and finished tied for 11th at the Women's British Open two years ago.
Popov has never been in this position during her career, but if she can come anywhere close to replicating Saturday's round, she will be the golfer to beat Sunday.
LPGA Cancels 2 Tournaments in Asia Amid Coronavirus Concerns
Feb 9, 2020
Straffan, IRELAND: A pile of golf balls are pictured as Europe takes on the United States in the morning fourballs session of the second day of the 2006 Ryder Cup at the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare, in the Republic of Ireland, 23 September 2006. AFP PHOTO/JEFF HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
The LPGAannounced it canceled the 2020 Honda LPGA Thailand and the 2020 HSBC Women's World Championship as a result of concerns about coronavirus on Sunday. Â
The Honda LPGA Thailand was scheduled for Feb. 20-23 in Pattaya, Thailand, while the HSBC Women's World Championship was scheduled for Feb. 27 through March 1 in Singapore.
"It is always a difficult decision to cancel events and the LPGA greatly appreciates the understanding and all the efforts made by our title sponsors (Honda and HSBC) as well as IMG to host incredible events for our players," the announcement read. "The health and safety of our players, fans and everyone working on the event is always our highest priority. While we are disappointed that these tournaments will not take place this season, we look forward to returning to Asia soon."
In January, Miami University (Ohio) postponed a men's and women's basketball game because two students were being tested for coronavirus.
According to CNN, at least 910 people have died worldwide because of coronavirus. Over 40,000 have officially been diagnosed with the virus, and the vast majority of the cases have been in China.Â
Lee Ann Walker Records 58 Penalty Strokes at Senior LPGA Championship
Oct 16, 2019
Lee Ann Walker-Cooper watches the ball from the ninth tee during the rain delayed first round of the LPGA Tour's NW Arkansas Championship golf tournament at Pinnacle Country Club, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in Rogers, Ark. (AP Photo/Beth Hall)
Golf has many strange rules, some bordering on laughably complex. A violation of one such rule cost golfer Lee Ann Walker 58 strokes at this week's Senior LGPA Championship.
Walker was assessed the exorbitant penalties after having her caddy behind her during putts for most of the first two rounds at the event. The USGA and R&A banned caddies from lining golfers up for putts in a change earlier this year.
Walker said she was unaware of the change before being informed midway through Round 2. She then informed officials of her violations, taking a two-stroke penalty for every misstep. In total, she finished her first two rounds with scores of 127-90âa pair of rounds more befitting of an inexperienced amateur.
"We had her recreate the times that that happened,"Â LPGA rules official Marty Robinson told Beth Ann Nichols of Golfweek.
Walker was not disqualified from the event because she did not know about her violations in Round 1. She was cut from the three-round event, regardless, with one of the most eye-popping penalty tallies in golf history.Â
Women's British Open 2019: Hinako Shibuno Leads at 14 Under Entering Final Round
Aug 3, 2019
WOBURN, ENGLAND - AUGUST 03: Hinako Shibuno of Japan plays into the 12th green during the third round of the AIG Women's British Open at Woburn Golf Club on August 03, 2019 in Woburn, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Hinako Shibuno will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the 2019 Women's British Open.
The Japanese player carded a five-under 67 on Saturday at Woburn Golf and Country Club, leaving her on 14 under overall.
Ashleigh Buhai, who was five shots clear earlier in the round, finished on even par at 12 under.
Here's a look at how the leaderboard shaped up after a hectic moving day:
Buhai had led the field at the end of each of the first two rounds, and she built on her position with birdies at the second and the seventh holes, the former a putt from 20 feet.
She took her lead to five shots with a third gain at the 10th:
The đŠ just keep coming for Buhai as she moves to -15 đ€Ż
The 30-year-old had dropped just one shot in the opening two rounds, but she let the field back in with consecutive bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes:
đ Back-to-back bogeys for leader Buhai sees her fall to -13 and her lead drop to 2 đ
After taking the lead on the 17th, she consolidated her position with a final gain at the 18th to open up a little breathing room heading into the last round.
Like Buhai, Carlota Ciganda had enjoyed a strong start before a disappointing finish proved costly.
The Spaniard picked up four shots on the front nine, including an eagle at the seventh:
She made further gains at the 12th and 14th holes after a bogey at the 11th, but a double bogey on the final hole dropped her away from the lead and onto nine under overall.
Women's British Open Golf 2019: Tee Times, Dates, TV Schedule, LPGA Prize Money
Jul 31, 2019
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - JULY 28: Jin Young Ko of South Korea celebrates with the trophy following the Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 28, 2019 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Jin Young Ko, Lexi Thompson and defending champion Georgia Hall are among the golfers to watch when the 2019 AIG Women's British Open begins on Thursday.
The tournament will see the best of the LPGA attempt to navigate a testing Marquess' Course at Woburn Golf Club in Milton Keynes, England. A share worth $675,000 (ÂŁ540,000) of the $4.5 million (ÂŁ3.6 million) in prize money is due to the winner.
3:28 p.m./10:28 a.m. Lauren Stephenson, Charlotte Thompson, Emma Spitz (A)
   Â
Problems have already beset some at the tournament after Thompson left her passport on a truck driven by caddie Ian Wright, according to Golf Channel's Randall Mell.
He noted how Thompson retrieving the misplaced document delayed the practice plans of as many as 40 players, including Nelly Korda and Anna Nordqvist.
EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE - JULY 26: Lexi Thompson of The United States on the first tee during day 2 of the Evian Championship at Evian Resort Golf Club on July 26, 2019 in Evian-les-Bains, France. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
It's debatable how much this will impact the performances of those involved. Ko is still going to be one of the main contenders after winning the Evian Championship in France on Sunday.
Victory in France was the perfect follow up to winning the ANA Inspiration back in April. With two majors to her credit, Ko has a strong claim to collect the prestigious Rolex Annika Major Award to acknowledge the most successful LPGA player in majors in a calendar year.
Ko finished two strokes ahead of Jennifer Kupcho at the Evian Resort Golf Club after a final round that included five birdies. The 24-year-old's ability to hold her nerve and stay consistent in the decisive rounds could once again separate her from the rest of a talented field.
The challenge to win a hat-trick of majors is something the world No. 1 is relishing:
Jin Young Ko has an opportunity to do something rare this week @AIGWBO - win three majors in a single season.@TheAmyRogers asked Ko what it would mean to her if she were to accomplish this rare feat ==> pic.twitter.com/VUTDy3pczm
Hall will make a determined effort to retain her title, even if she is hardly entering this year's tournament in the best of form. Hall's best finish this year was ninth in the Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions in Florida, per Kent Paisley of the LPGA official website.
However, the 23-year-old proved her ability to thrive on a links course 12 months ago. If she gets to grips with the Marquess' early, Hall will be in the final reckoning once again.
"These things happen, but it was very upsetting at the time."
Defending British Open champion Georgia Hall reveals how she had her beloved trophy stolen from the boot of her car.
There are plenty of other notable contenders to consider, with Thompson and Kupcho among them. So are Sung Hyun Park and Kelly, but it's Ko who already looks like the player to beat.
