WA teen shines at US Open
Australian teenager Minjee Lee is four shots behind American leader Michelle Wie going into the penultimate round of the US Open at Pinehurst.
Wie is four-under-par for the tournament after capping her second straight round of two-under with back-to-back birdies on Friday.
The American seized a three-stroke lead in the major over 19-year-old compatriot Lexi Thompson who is one-under for the tournament.
World No.1 Stacy Lewis, who shot a three-over round, shared third place on even par with 18-year-old amateur Lee, who had a one-over-par round.
“End of the day yesterday, I was thinking if I just did this again, that would be nice,” Wie said.
“It’s a grind out there. It’s not easy. Really grateful for the par putts that I made and some of the birdie putts that I made. I can’t complain. I’ll take it.”
Lewis, the defending Women’s British Open champion, has already posted two wins this season at the North Texas LPGA Shootout and ShopRite Classic and welcomed the challenge facing her heading into the weekend.
“I like it when you have to hit good shots and think your way around the golf course,” Lewis said.
“The USGA will keep switching things up, and I think it’s fine when they make the golf course harder.
“I think being four shots back on a hard golf course is a good place to be.”
Schoolgirl Lucy Li’s week as the youngest player ever to qualify for the US Women’s Open ended as the 11-year-old posted her second-straight 78 to miss the cut.
