Allisen Corpuz only Hawaii golfer to make cut at U.S. Women’s Open

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. >> Jin Younger Ko by no means appears to emphasize. Nor does she let up.

The world’s No. 1 participant vaulted into competition for a 3rd main championship Friday, taking part in the ultimate 5 holes in 3 beneath to drag inside three pictures of second-round leaders Minjee Lee and Mina Harigae on the U.S. Ladies’s Open.

Harigae and Lee had been at 9-under 133 after 36 holes at Pine Needles. Lee shot a 5-under 66, and Harigae had a 69.

Three-time main champion Anna Nordqvist and Hye-Jin Choi, who shot a 64 to come back inside shot of matching the bottom spherical within the occasion’s 77-year historical past, had been 7 beneath. Nordqvist had a 68.

Punahou product Allisen Corpuz struggled to a 74 however made the minimize by two strokes and is in a tie for thirty sixth. She made it attention-grabbing on the again 9 when she bogeyed No. 14 after which doubled the sixteenth earlier than coming house with successive pars.

She is the one Hawaii participant to make the minimize, with Britney Yada taking pictures a 73 with bogeys on 17 and 18 to overlook by two strokes. Michelle Wie West additionally fell two strokes quick.

Mariel Galdiano matched Yada with a 73 to complete at 6 over. Beginner Karissa Kilby completed at plus 13 after a 78.

Ko was tied for fifth at 6 beneath with Swedish newbie Ingrid Lindblad. Ko shot 67, and Lindblad adopted up her occasion amateur-record 65 on Thursday with a 71.

Ko hasn’t gained a significant since 2019, however gained 5 LPGA Tour occasions final yr and has one win this yr.

“I don’t take into consideration successful,” Ko mentioned. “I simply assume simply myself and simply concentrate on my sport. I simply discuss with my caddie and have enjoyable.”

Ko made her transfer with a birdie on No. 14, then pounded a 3-wood into the inexperienced on the par-5 fifteenth and made a 65-foot eagle putt.

Nelly Korda, the No. 2 participant on the earth, was six pictures off the tempo after a 69. She’s taking part in in her first event since present process surgical procedure on her left arm to repair a blood clot.

It appeared for some time like Harigae would possibly preserve sole possession of the lead for a second straight day.

However Lee, ranked No. 4 on the earth, surged right into a tie within the afternoon after taking pictures 31 on the entrance 9. Lee has already gained two LPGA occasions this yr.

A number of gamers talked concerning the gradual tempo of play on a day the place mild rain threatened to cease play.

“A variety of ready, so I really feel like I simply tried to tempo myself,” Nordqvist mentioned.

Lexi Thompson struggled down the stretch simply as she did within the last spherical of final yr’s U.S. Open, when she surrendered a five-shot lead after a back-nine meltdown and misplaced.

However she managed to shut with a birdie for a 69 that left her 3 beneath.

“Received a number of unhealthy breaks, however it’s what it’s — it’s golf,” mentioned Thompson, the No. 6 participant on the earth.

Harigae, who performed collegiately about 80 miles away at Duke and idolized North Carolina’s Michael Jordan rising up, mentioned she is a way more mature particular person since she first joined the LPGA Tour — and hopes that can assist down the stretch.

“I really feel like I’ve higher instruments to navigate these new experiences,” the 32-year-old Harigae mentioned. “I feel simply attempting to be calm, simply go about my day.”