Heading into the weekend, Bailey Tardy holds a two shot lead at the 78th U.S. Women's Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links
Teeing off first on another cool and overcast day at Pebble Beach Links, Bailey Tardy got off to a flying start on her front nine with four birdies, a bogey and an eagle to make the turn in 31 shots! Just one dropped shot on the back nine at 14 meant that she signed for a four-under-par 68 to add to her 69 from the day before.
The 26-year-old is the only player in the field to have shot two rounds in the 60s and came into this week after a missed cut at the KPMG Women's PGA Championship two weeks ago with two rounds of 75.
Every week the American has the belief she can win:
"Other people maybe not, but I've always believed in myself to win any tournament that I enter. I'm good enough to be here, and I've been on the LPGA, so I feel like I definitely have the game to hang with the best in the world."
Tardy will have quite a wait as she will tee off in the final group with fellow American Allisen Corpuz at 1:36pm local time, she told the waiting media that she planned a lot of rest and would keep her positive outlook into the weekend:
"Honestly I'm just enjoying the moment here. I'm leading the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, and I think that's just something so special, and trying not to get too ahead of myself. There's so much golf left. Yeah, just hang out. I love afternoon tee times, so I get to sleep and not be rushed and hang out, drink some coffee."
Corpuz continues her run of form
Unlike Tardy, Corpuz has more experience at being in the lead at a Major championship after she held a one shot lead heading into the final round of the Chevron Championship back in April.
Corpuz is two shots back from Tardy and will be sticking to her game plan to improve on her Major performance:
"I think I'm a really solid ball striker which I think you need on big courses like this. Me and Jay I think do a great job of just looking at the course and really being honest about where my game is at, what shots I do or don't have for the week, and putting together a really solid game plan according to that."
Also at five-under-par is first round co-leader Hyo Joo Kim, who shot a one-under-par 71. The South Korean golfer started strong but finished with two bogeys:
"Well, I started well, like yesterday. I was feeling well and satisfied. But not as well as yesterday, but I did not make major mistakes. Then the last two holes, Yes, I did make mistakes so I was not feeling as good. Starting tomorrow I will have an excellent mindset as a new day.
"Day two, round two is over for me. Of course I have some regrets, but what can I do? It's over, right? I'm still on the leaderboard, so I'll just continue to work very hard and I have a chance to be a champion."
Xiyu Jin who shared the lead with Kim had a disappointing five-over-par second round:
"It was a little rough. But I think overall making the cut is still a pretty good little progress. At least I have two more days to try to catch up or whatever or even just enjoy playing at this beautiful course."
Big names miss the cut (again)
Talking of the cut, that fell at six-over-par. Celine Boutier, Ashleigh Buhai and Linn Grant made it on the number, whilst World number two Nelly Korda was one shot better at five-over-par.
Surprise names to miss the cut included World number one Jin Young Ko (+7), Anna Nordqvist (+7), final day contender at the KPMG Women's PGA Jenny Shin (+7), Danielle Kang (+7), Atthaya Thitikul (+8), Georgia Hall (+9), Jennifer Kupcho (+9), Lexi Thompson (+9) and Ariya Jutanugarn (+10).
Amy Olson who was competing at seven months pregnant, also did not make the cut at 12-over par.
Michelle Wie West's final stage
It was also the final swan song for Michelle Wie West (+14) who was competing in her final event as a professional on the LPGA, a moment that she savoured:
"Honestly, the thing that stands out the most for me was having my husband on the bag. He's my partner in life, and to have him walk down 18 with me this week, to have him there by my side the whole week just meant everything to me, to have my family out here, to be at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach. Everything was just incredible."
Joining her was Annika Sorenstam (+15), who was competing in her final U.S. Women's Open:
"First of all, I just want to thank everybody. It's been a great week in so many ways. Thank you to USGA. Thank you to Pebble Beach for hosting this big championship here. And to all the fans out there today, I just really felt the love and the support. It was just great to come down here the last few holes just feeling welcome and appreciated and having the family here and friends. It's been a special week in so many ways."
Round three starts at 7am local time with Live coverage from 10:15pm (BST) on Sky Sports Mix.
View the full U.S. Women's Open leaderboard here.
TaylorMade U.S. Women's Open Competition
Don't forget to enter our TaylorMade U.S. Women's Open Competition to win a limited edition U.S. Women's Open tour bag and matching headcovers. Enter via Instagram or Twitter.
Inspired by the third women's Major of the season? Why not come and watch the best players in the world at the AIG Women's Open this summer at Walton Heath. Ticket prices start from £20.
