Seo holds narrow lead at US Women's Open
BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2011 US Women's Open | Day Four | 11 Jul 2011
The US Women’s Open at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is headed for a fifth day after darkness brought play to a halt around 8.00pm Mountain Time during Sunday’s fourth and final round.
The field had been forced to complete round three on Sunday morning then wait out another weather delay before play recommenced but the backlog proved too great and 29 players will be required to return early on Monday to finish the event off.
The current leader, Korean Seo Hee Kyung, is not one of them. She finished her round just before the siren sounded for the suspension of play, a very impressive par at her final hole enough to maintain a one shot lead over Ryu So Yeon and a two shot lead over Cristie Kerr.
Ryu and Kerr have three and two holes to play respectively, one of those a par five and with the prospect of better weather early on Monday morning this event is still not over.
The 25 year old Seo was brilliant throughout the final day as she finished off round three and then set out very soon after in her final round. When she made the turn in 31 she had taken the lead at 5 under and although she dropped two shots coming the blustery conditions and weather delay were preventing her nearest chasers from applying any real pressure.
Seo three putted the 17th as the wind buffeted the layout at the base of the Rockies but she composed herself at the demanding 18th and found the green with a hybrid and two putted for par.
Ryu appears as if she may be the greatest chance of catching her fellow countrywoman but clearly she needs one more birdie to do so.
Both players have been standouts in the prolific breeding ground that is the Korean LPGA Tour. Both have been great rivals on that tour although Seo has already won an LPGA Tour event when winning the Kia Classic last season. Seo also has a top five finish in a major to her her name when 5th at last year’s British Women’s Open.
Seo today came from seven shots off the 36 hole pace to get within one of a four way tie for the lead starting her final round and quickly challenged those ahead of her. Angela Stanford and Ryu Seo Yeon kept pace but Stanford began to struggle early in her final nine holes. Ryu would also drop shots but she also made two or three crucial par saving putts to keep within striking distance.
The par five 17th could prove crucial for Ryu in the completion of her round tomorrow morning but Kerr at 1 under and Stanford at even par are not yet done. They will need something special in the morning but they are still alive.
Karrie Webb has two holes to play and shares 5th position at 2 over, after four birdies and four bogeys in her final round.
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