Sarah Jane Smith four clear at US Women's Open after second round hit by thunderstorms
Saturday 2 June 2018 08:47, UK
Sarah Jane Smith moved four shots clear at the US Women's Open at Shoal Creek before play was halted by bad weather.
Smith carded a second successive five-under round of 67 to take a handy lead, but half of the field was unable to complete their second round after a series of thunderstorms hit Alabama.
The Australian's nearest rival is compatriot Su Oh, who shot 68 to reach six under, but Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn is poised to close that deficit, sitting on the same score with 10 holes still remaining in her second round.
Smith is seven shots clear of the rest of a packed field, with world No 1 Inbee Park and Spain's Carlota Ciganda part of a seven-strong group on three under.
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Defending champion Sung Hyun Park is destined to miss the cut after finishing her second round on a nine-over-par total while leading contender Brooke Henderson withdrew from the tournament for personal reasons and returned home to Canada after an opening 73.
Of the British contingent, Jodi Ewart Shadoff is in a tie for 18th place on one under after a round of 71, while Charley Hull started to rebuild after her opening 74 and made it back to level par for the tournament with nine holes still to play.
Smith, who had failed to make the cut in five of her previous six US Opens, said: "I haven't been in the position before, but I hope to show up like it's another day.
"I'm happy with the way I'm playing. I feel comfortable on the greens which has been something that has been a little bit off lately. So it's nice to be able to feel like I'm seeing the greens really well and seeing some putts go in. Hopefully that keeps going."
