Pettersen leads Ko does well at US Open

BY Bruce Young | LPGA Tour | 2012 US Women's Open | Round Two | 07 Jul 2012

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen has the 36 hole lead at the US Women’s Open at the Blackwolf Run Championship Course in Kohler in Wisconsin, the world number six looking to go one better than her recent runner-up finish at the recent LPGA Championship and win the US Open for the first occasion.

Pettersen birdied four of her opening seven holes today to give her the momentum she needed to build on her opening 71. She would bogey her 13th hole but a birdie at the 17th gave her the lead by one over Michelle Wie and 2007 US Women’s Open Champion Cristie Kerr.

Pettersen finished runner-up in this event two years ago to Paula Creamer and enjoys the great test it offers.

“I like the U.S. Opens, she said. "It’s usually the biggest test of golf throughout the year. I like the way the USGA set up the courses. They make it tough. They make it fair. And it’s by far one of my favourite championships, just because of that.

“But this year there are birdies out there. I probably shouldn’t say this, because we come out tomorrow and they’ll probably make it impossible. But the course is playable. So just keep sticking to the game plan.”

Wie who only recently finished four years at Stanford University, put together a brilliant round of 66 to further highlight the considerable talent she is. Her season to date has been very ordinary, missing more cuts than she has made, but today it all fell into place. Her round was the best of the day by two shots.

“Yeah, I’m pretty stoked to be back in contention and honestly not have to worry about the cut line, said Wie. "It feels pretty good. I’m looking forward to a good weekend it feels pretty good.

“Nothing really has changed since the beginning of this year. I just kind of kept with the same stuff and I felt like it was coming for the last couple of weeks. It’s really nice to see that I kind of put it together today.”

The Australasian challenge is headed by the amazing 15 year old Lydia Ko who in her first US Open is in 30th position.

Ko was happy to meet her goal of even par today as she felt much more comfortable on the greens.

“It was much better today,” said the youngest winner in professional golf history.

“The first three holes [in round one] my hands were shaking I was so nervous and I was trying to line up my putts but I couldn’t get it straight.

“I made a birdie on 11. I hit it to 12 feet past the hole, my putting was rolling well today. I made bogeys on 12 and 13 yesterday and was happy to make pars on both of them today.

“I made birdie on 15 and then double on 17 and it kind of went down but I made birdie on two and I was putting well then. I shot one under on the front nine which was my back nine so I was pretty happy.”

At 6359m Blackwolf Run is the longest course that Ko has ever played in a tournament. She has been preparing for the length from the black tees of her new home course at Gulf Harbour.

“Gulf Harbour was playing 7000 yards [6400m] which was playing in a longer condition because it was wet. So I came prepared for that and expected that distance. It’s a bit drier here which is helping.”

“We had the video tape of [Korean Se Ri Pak] winning at this golf course [in 1998] so I looked over it. Score wise with plus six being the winning score, it was much harder then…I think it’s being a bit more generous.”

Karrie Webb and Katherine Hull were the only two Australians in the event and both made the cut, Webb in 40th position and Hull 46th.

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