Amy Yang of South Korea charged to a three-stroke lead over Stacy Lewis and Shiho Oyama of Japan in the 70th U.S. Women’s Open by posting a 4-under-par 66 at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pa.
The 25-year-old Yang, who claimed her second LPGA Tour victory earlier this season in the Honda LPGA Thailand, reeled off four consecutive birdies through the 14th hole after making her only bogey at No. 9.
“I just enjoy it out here,” said Yang, who was paired with champion Michelle Wie in the final round of this tournament last year and finished fourth. “And I know the golf courses are very tough; I just enjoy the tough condition of the golf courses.
“It’s better to have that experience (playing alongside Wie) than never experience that before. It’s different out there and I know what kind of pressure that is like. It will be tough, but I will be patient and work on it.”
Lewis, who finished second behind Wie a year ago and has two major titles, birdied three of the first six holes and added two birdies down the stretch in a 67, while Oyama, 38, who has won nine times in Japan, birdied four of the first seven holes en route to a 67.
Marina Alex, who shared the first round lead with Karrie Webb of Australia at 66, came back with a 71 and was four shots back in solo fourth, while Webb struggled to a 72 and was another stroke behind in a tie for fifth with top-ranked Inbee Park (70) of South Korea, Morgan Pressel (70), Rumi Yoshiba (68) of Japan, Jane Park (72) and In Gee Chun (70) of South Korea.
Wie bounced back from a 72 by shooting 68 and was seven strokes behind in a tie for 12th, while second-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand totaled 72 and was two more shots back in a tie for 32nd.
