Lee Jeong-eun 6's Strength "Jump to 2nd Place by 1 Stroke"…Saso's "Surprise Lead"

US Women's Open Day 2: Park In-bee Fires 4-Under Par to Tie for 6th, Ko Jin-young and Kim Se-young Tied for 18th, Defending Champ Kim Ah-rim 'Cut Off'

Lee Jeong-eun 6 is teeing off on the 13th hole on the second day of the US Women's Open. San Francisco, California, USA ? Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the resilience of 2019 champion Lee Jeong-eun6 (25, Daebang Construction).

On the 5th (Korean time), at The Olympic Golf Course in San Francisco, California, USA (par 71, 6,383 yards), during the second day of the US Women's Open (total prize money $5.5 million), known as the "National Title of the USA" on the LPGA Tour, she surged with a 4-under-par round to leap to 2nd place (5-under-par 137 strokes). Yuka Saso (Philippines) is leading at 6-under-par 136 strokes, while amateurs Mega Gane and Megan Kang (both USA) are chasing in a tie for 3rd place (4-under-par 138 strokes).

Lee Jeong-eun6 started from a tie for 9th place, 3 strokes behind, and collected 5 birdies (1 bogey). Although she started shakily with a bogey on the 2nd hole, she changed the momentum with a birdie on the 6th hole (both par 4). In the back nine, after a birdie on the 11th hole (par 4), she created excitement with three consecutive birdies from the 15th to the 17th holes. She is just 1 stroke behind the leader, presenting an opportunity to claim the winner’s trophy for the first time in two years since her first career victory in 2019. This year, she has participated in 9 tournaments, with her best finish being 7th at the LA Open.

Park In-bee is making a chip shot on the 14th hole on the second day of the US Women's Open. San Francisco, California, USA - Getty Images / Multibits

“Golf Empress” Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group) added 2-under-par to position herself in a tie for 6th place (2-under-par 140 strokes). Lexi Thompson (USA) and Mel Reid (England) are also in this group. Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) is tied for 9th place (1-under-par 141 strokes). Kim Hyo-joo (26, Lotte) is tied for 12th place (even par 142 strokes), while “Number 1” Ko Jin-young (26) and “Number 3” Kim Se-young (28, Mediheal), along with Kim In-kyung (33, Hanwha Q Cells), are tied for 18th place (2-over-par 144 strokes).

Season’s first major ANA winner Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand) rose to a tie for 28th place (3-over-par 145 strokes). 2015 champion Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) also joined this group. Yoo So-yeon (31, Mediheal), Brooke Henderson (Canada), Lydia Ko (New Zealand), and Jessica Korda (USA) are tied for 36th place (4-over-par 146 strokes). Defending champion Kim A-rim (26, SBI Savings Bank) struggled, sitting tied for 67th place (7-over-par 149 strokes), and packed up early.