Angela Park retained the lead when the second round was finally completed at the weather-plagued United States Women's Open on Saturday.
Brazil-born Park, who set the opening-round pace with a three-under-par 68, added a 69 on an oppressive, almost still morning at Pine Needles.
She posted a five-under 137 halfway total, two shots better than Amy Hung (69), Julieta Granada (69) and Jiyai Shin (69), with Morgan Pressel another two strokes back.
Park, 18, completed her round in style by knocking in a 25-footer at her final hole to salvage par.
‘I hit it and it went in,’ said Park, who took little time to read the putt.
‘My caddie told me I spent the least amount of time reading that putt out of all the putts today.’
Among the favorites, LPGA money leader Lorena Ochoa trailed by five shots, while defending champion Annika Sorenstam was a distant 10 strokes off the pace.
Two-time champion Karrie Webb, who shot an opening 83, bounced back with a 71, but it was too little, too late, as she missed the cut.
And 17-year-old Michelle Wie quit after nine holes, claiming she was in considerable pain due to an ongoing wrist injury.
