Mao Saigo Takes Commanding Lead at U.S. Women’s Open
Erin, Wis. — In a stunning display of talent and composure, Mao Saigo shot an impressive 6-under 66 during the second round, establishing herself as the frontrunner in the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills. The 23-year-old Japanese golfer is poised to win her second major title of the year, having already clinched her first LPGA Tour victory at the Chevron Championship just over a month ago.
A Stellar Performance
Saigo’s two-day total stands at 8-under 136, giving her a commanding three-stroke lead over the world’s top-ranked player, Nelly Korda. This significant advantage puts Saigo in an excellent position as she heads into the weekend rounds, where the pressure intensifies, and every stroke counts.
Nelly Korda’s Rise
Korda, who has struggled in previous U.S. Opens, showcased her skills by delivering a solid 67 on Friday, marking her personal best round in this prestigious tournament. Moving up to second place, Korda expressed her relief and optimism: “I feel like I’ve had a very complicated relationship with U.S. Opens,” she said with a hint of exasperation, “but I’m happy to be in the position I am heading into the weekend.”
Her performance was particularly notable considering she had not recorded a birdie until her final hole during Thursday’s round, showing a remarkable turnaround in her putting skills.
Saigo’s Resilience
Saigo’s journey to the top of the leaderboard wasn’t without its challenges. Starting her round on the back nine, she quickly birdied the 11th and 12th holes, but an unfortunate bogey on the par-5 14th threatened to derail her momentum. After her third shot ricocheted off the flagstick, she found herself in a bunker, but her quick recovery, featuring four birdies in just five holes from No. 16 to No. 2, emphasized her resilience. “I thought that was not my mistake,” she explained through an interpreter. “I just thought to myself that it was just unlucky, and then I just changed my mind.”
The Leaderboard Shakeup
Not far behind Saigo and Korda, three golfers—Jing Yan, Linn Grant, and Chiara Tamburlini—finished their Friday morning rounds at 4-under par, trailing by four strokes. Tamburlini had been tied with Korda for a time but fell back after a bogey on the 18th hole.
Earlier in the tournament, the first round ended with a six-way tie at the top, including Angel Yin and 2020 champion A Lim Kim, all carding 68. However, the second round proved challenging for some, as Julia Lopez Ramirez noted with a 74 and Yin followed suit with a 75, leaving them at 2-under and 1-under, respectively.
Road Ahead
With the afternoon groups still to tee off on the 6,809-yard course, anticipation builds for more thrilling rounds. The stakes are high, and every golfer is looking to make their mark as they vie for the coveted title.
As the weekend approaches, all eyes will be on Saigo to see if she can maintain her lead and deliver a performance worthy of a champion, while Korda and the pack chase hard to close the gap. Each swing, each putt, and each decision will play a crucial role in determining the U.S. Women’s Open champion.
