Mao Saigo, fresh off her first Major title in April, is halfway to another after a stellar performance at the U.S. Women’s Open on May 30. The 23-year-old from Japan fired a six-under 66 — the lowest round of the championship so far — to take a three-shot lead at Erin Hills in Erin, Wisconsin.
Saigo carded seven birdies against just one bogey on the USGA’s demanding layout, finishing the day at eight-under 136. Her precise putting proved key, needing only 24 putts across 18 holes. The highlight came with a 32-foot birdie on the par-four 12th.
“Today’s conditions were better than yesterday, and that helped me hit better shots and make more putts,” Saigo said. “That led to a better score.”
Since claiming the Chevron Championship in April via a record-setting five-way playoff — her first LPGA win — Saigo says she’s gained confidence in her decisions on the course.
“I’ve become more confident in the judgments I make,” she said. “But I still want to focus on playing my own game, rather than trying to change myself.”
World No. 1 Nelly Korda climbed into contention with a five-under 67, bringing her to five under for the tournament and into a tie for second alongside Sarah Schmelzel (68), Yealimi Noh (71), Maja Stark of Sweden (69), Japan’s Hinako Shibuno (69), and Kim A-lim of South Korea (71).
Korda rebounded from a relatively quiet opening round — one birdie and one bogey — to post seven birdies and two bogeys on Day 2.
“I’ve been rolling it really well all week,” Korda said. “Even with the missed putts yesterday, I stayed patient because I knew I was hitting good ones.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Korda is staying focused on the process as she chases her first U.S. Women’s Open title and third Major overall.
“I’ve had a complicated relationship with the U.S. Open,” she admitted. “But I’m happy with the position I’m in.”
In Men’s Golf:
Nick Taylor posted a bogey-free four-under 68 to tie Ben Griffin for the lead at the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. Taylor, who secured his fifth PGA title earlier this year at the Sony Open, sits at seven-under 137 after two rounds.
Griffin, the overnight leader and fresh off a win at Colonial last week, carded an even-par 71 with one birdie and one bogey to remain tied at the top.
