World number one Park In-Bee, chasing her third major title of the year, fired a four-under par 72 on Friday to take the US Women’s Open lead just as fog halted the second round.
The South Korean superstar had a nine-under par total of 135 and a two-stroke lead over compatriot I.K. Kim.
Kim was in the clubhouse on seven-under 137 after a three-under 69 that included five birdies and two bogeys.
American Lizette Salas carded a 72 at Sebonack Golf Club for a four-under total of 140. England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff was four-under for the tournament through 15 holes when play was halted for the day, with the second round to resume on Saturday morning.
“I think we got very lucky that we finished today,” said Park, who capped her round with the last of her six birdies at the par-five 18th.
“I played very good golf today. I gave myself a lot of good opportunities, a very good ball-striking day. The long putts seemed to be going well today. I left a couple out there, but very satisfied with today’s score.”
Leading Australian Sarah Jane Smith has slipped from a first round share of 17th to equal 23rd at two-over par after her round was halted after 15 holes at three-over for the day.
The fog stopped Karrie Webb’s round after 16 holes and she sits a shot further back at three-over.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko’s round was halted on the 16th and she also sits on three-over.
Park, whose five titles in 2013 include major triumphs at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and the LPGA Championship, opened her round with a birdie at the first. She had two bogeys and two more birdies in her outward run, then gathered steam on the back nine.
At the 13th, she hit a wedge over the green but made a 20-footer for birdie. At 15 she landed a sand wedge within a foot before draining a 12-footer at the last.
“I’d say it was a little tougher to play in the fog, but I made a birdie so I don’t think it really came into effect for me,” she said. “I was able to see the pin on the third shot, so I think that was good enough.”
Overnight rain softened the course, but players found it windier on Friday, with the conditions changing frequently from sunny to overcast to foggy and back.
