Five storylines from the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open
We'll be keeping an eye on the U.S. Women's Open over the next four days, so in an effort to keep you up-to-date with everything that's going on at Blackwolf Run, we're going to provide you with the top five storylines from each round. Here's a look at Day 2.
Michelle Wie surges into contention — Tiger Woods is the biggest lightning rod in golf, but if you're looking for the female version, it would have to be Michelle Wie. Considered by many to be a future star in the making, Wie's struggled to find her game since her last win in 2010 at the Canadian Women's Open. With just two made cuts in her last eight starts, there was little reason to believe she was going to be a factor this week. But through two rounds, Wie is right there, sitting just one shot off the lead after posting 6-under on Friday. The craziest part of all for the 22-year-old is that her putter actually made an appearance. After averaging nearly 2 putts per hole and 32 per round this season, Wie needed only 23 on Friday. She's going to need a similar performance over the weekend to hang with the leaders, but for at least one day one of the most criticized golfers in the world is in contention for her first major championship.
[Related: Michelle Wie puts recent woes behind her in sizzling performance]
36-hole leader Suzann Pettersen nearly misses her tee time — Suzann Pettersen is the 36-hole leader at the U.S. Open -- she's at 5-under after firing a 4-under 68 -- but for a moment on Friday, it looked like she might not even make her tee time.
"I thought it was awfully light in the room when I woke up, at 6:40, an hour late," she said after her round. "I looked at the alarm clock, and I think instead of putting it for 5:45, I'd put it for 6:45."
Pettersen made her tee time and then poured in four birdies in her first seven holes to grab a one-shot lead. The Norwegian, who already has one major championship, won't have to worry about setting extra alarms on Saturday. With the last tee time of the day, she'll most likely be ready to go when they announce her name on the first tee.
Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson miss the cut at the Greenbrier Classic — What do two of the biggest names in men's golf have to do with the U.S. Women's Open? Well, the fact that Woods and Mickelson both missed out on the weekend means the spotlight will be on the women this weekend. With so many big names in contention at Blackwolf Run, women's golf has a chance this weekend to make a statement. The stage is all yours, ladies.
[Related: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson both miss cut at Greenbrier Classic]
Morgan Pressel withdraws with thumb injury — Playing a casual round of golf with a thumb injury is difficult, but to try and do it at a major championship is a completely different story. Morgan Pressel tried to make it happen on Friday, showing up to the course just five shots back of the lead. But about midway through the round it was clear the thumb injury was too much. After carding a 10 on the par-4 14th hole, Pressel called it quits.
Notes from Day 2 — The heat wasn't a major factor on Friday, but the pace of play certainly was. Paula Creamer tweeted that the group in front ordered pizza during the round because it was so slow. Not sure if she was being serious or not, but 6-hour rounds are a joke. ... Cristie Kerr, who already has a U.S. Women's Open trophy at home, is just one shot off the lead at 4-under. ... One day after 17-year-old Lexi Thompson got within one of the leaders, she took a step back with a 1-over 73 that included 5 birdies, 2 bogeys and 2 doubles.
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