MIAMI: Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn hopes to regain some ground when she resumes her second round at the rain-delayed US Women's Open golf tournament.
Ariya, ranked fifth in the world and the top money winner on the LPGA Tour this year, is currently in second place at 6 under par, four shots behind leader Sarah Jane Smith of Australia, after eight holes. She is scheduled to complete her second round on Saturday evening Thailand time and then begin third-round play.
Smith managed to complete her round before the storms returned on Friday at Shoal Creek, Alabama. Her 67 gave her the clubhouse lead over Ariya and Su Oh of Australia in the second major tournament of the year.
Smith carded her second straight five-under round for a 10-under total of 134 at Shoal Creek, where thunderstorms led to extensive delays on a course that had been soaked earlier in the week.
Seventy-eight players were unable to complete the second round. Among them is Thai amateur Paphangkorn "Patty" Tavatanakit, who was at 2 under with six holes left to play on Friday.
Among the notable names who have struggled at Shoal Creek is LA Open winner Moriya Jutanugarn, Ariya's sister, who is 4 over par after two rounds. The cut line has not been set but Moriya might be finished for the weekend once it is.
Smith had shared the overnight lead with Ariya and South Korea's Jeong-eun Lee. The 33-year-old is hoping for a breakthrough victory despite lacklustre results so far in a season in which her best finish was a tie for 26th at the Kia Classic.
"I was definitely nervous, but not like I've been in the past," Smith said of heading out early with a share of the lead. "I was actually kind of happy with how I handled it a bit more today."
Smith said a switch back to her old irons, a reversion to a conventional putting grip and advice from coach Sean Foley -- who basically told her to just stick with it -- had helped her pull her game together.
Now she'll just try to stay on an even keel throughout the weekend.
"I hope to show up like it's another day," said Smith, whose husband, Duane, is her caddie. "I'm happy with the way I'm playing. I feel comfortable on the greens which has been something that has been a little bit off. So it's nice to feel like I'm seeing the greens really well and seeing some putts go in. Hopefully that keeps going."