US Women’s Open: Nelly Korda fights back into contention at major championship

US Open second round leaderboard

-8 Saigo (Jpn); -5 Stark (Swe), Shibuno (Jpn), Schmelzel (US), Noh (US), Korda (US), Kim (Kor)

Selected others: -3 E Dryburgh (Sco), Takeda (Jpn); -2 Lopez (Spa), Woad (Eng), Lee (Aus); +1 Hull (Eng); +2 Saso (Jpn); +4 Maguire (Ire)

Full leaderboard

World number one Nelly Korda surged into contention for a first US Women’s Open title with a second round of 67 at Erin Hills.

Two-time major winner Korda, 26, had seven birdies and two bogeys as she moved from level par at the start of play to five under.

The American trails Mao Saigo by three shots after the 23-year-old Japanese player took the outright lead with a best-of-the-day 66.

Korda features among a group of six players tied in second, including compatriots Sarah Schmelzel and Yealimi Noh, Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, South Korea’s Kim A-lim and Sweden’s Maja Stark.

British players Charley Hull, Gemma Dryburgh and Lottie Woad sat four shots off the lead after round one, on level par, but they experienced mixed fortunes on Friday.

Dryburgh had the best of it among the contingent, with a round of 69 putting the Scot in a tie for 12th on three under par.

English amateur Woad had a two-under 70, while Hull, who tied for second at this tournament two years ago, was set to make the cut with nothing to spare after a 73 – with a handful of players left to complete their rounds on Saturday.

Ireland’s Leona Maguire was certain to miss out on the weekend’s action after adding a 72 to her opening 76. Three birdies in her opening seven holes on Friday were wiped out by a triple bogey seven at the 11th.