Sung Hyun Park tees off on the 18th hole during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open, July 8, 2016 in San Martin, California.Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
When Sung Hyun Park entered her first U.S. Women's Open, her goals were modest. Halfway through the tournament, Park has put herself in prime position to contend.
Park capitalized on the favourable morning scoring conditions, shooting a six-under par 72 Friday to take the early clubhouse lead after the second round of the U.S. Women's Open at CordeValle.
"I didn't even think about winning because this is the first time for me," Park said through an interpreter. "I would like more experience with the USGA, LPGA. But I'm trying to enjoy this tournament. That's why I am just more comfortable, don't even think about the winning, I just enjoy the play. That's why it happened today."
Park, a 22-year-old from South Korea, made her LPGA debut last year when she finished second at the KEB-HanaBank Championship in South Korea. She has played three more LPGA tournaments this year, tying for sixth in her first major at the ANA Inspiration in the spring.
Park had four birdies in a six-hole span to move to nine-under before struggling on the final two holes. She hit her second shot into the greenside bunker at the par-four 17th and then missed a short par putt for her only bogey of the round.
Park then drove into a hazard on the par-five 18th for a one-shot penalty before saving par with a 15-foot putt to end her round in a tie with first-round leader Mirim Lee, who teed off in the afternoon.
Park was one of several players who battled into contention on Friday morning after struggling a bit playing the first round in the afternoon, when average scores were nearly two strokes higher than in the morning.
Amy Yang shot a 71 and finished the second round two shots back. World No. 1 Lydia Ko bounced back from a one-over par first round to shoot 66 and stands three shots behind.
Cristie Kerr and Minjee Lee, who both shot five-under in Round 1, were among the other leaders playing in the afternoon.
The top Canadian is Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., who is three under after a 69-141. Alena Sharp of Hamilton is two under after a 72-142. Sue Kim of Langley, B.C., and Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., are both at three over after each shot a 71-147 and were in danger of missing the cut.