Park up by two after 36 holes at US Women's Open

World number one Park In-Bee, chasing her third major title of the year, remained ahead by two strokes after today’s completion of the fog-halted second round of the US Women’s Open.

The South Korean superstar fired a four-under par 72 on Friday to stand on nine-under par 135 for a two-stroke lead over compatriot I.K. Kim, who fired a 69 that included five birdies and two bogeys.

England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff stood third on 139 after finishing her second round on Saturday morning with two pars and a birdie at the par-5 18th hole at Sebonack Golf Club to conclude a round of 69.

American Lizette Salas carded a 72 on Friday to stand on 140, one stroke ahead of compatriots Jessica Korda and Angela Stanford. France’s Karine Icher, Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and South Korean Ryu So-Yeon were on 142.

“I think we got very lucky that we finished today,” Park said Friday after capping her round with the last of her six birdies at the par-five 18th.

“I gave myself a lot of good opportunities, a very good ball-striking day. The long putts seemed to be going well today. I left a couple out there, but very satisfied.”

Park, whose five titles in 2013 include major triumphs at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and the LPGA Championship, opened her round with a birdie at the first. She had two bogeys and two more birdies in her outward run, then gathered steam on the back nine.

At the 13th, she hit a wedge over the green but made a 20-footer for birdie. At 15 she landed a sand wedge within a foot before draining a 12-footer at the last.

“I’d say it was a little tougher to play in the fog, but I made a birdie so I don’t think it really came into effect for me,” she said. “I was able to see the pin on the third shot, so I think that was good enough.”

Kim had five birdies and two bogeys in her second round. She missed a 12-foot birdie putt at her final hole, the ninth.

“Anything under par I thought was going to be a great score,” Kim said. “Definitely more wind out there. The wind was a little different direction and it was changing a little bit. Definitely tricky to adjust to the wind on some holes.

“But the greens were a little softer with the rain, so I was able to give myself some chances.”

Salas had two birdies and two bogeys in her even par effort.

“I’m not as pleased with it just because I was striking the ball very well,” Salas said. “At the same time, you have to look at the bright side, and you have to take into effect the wind and the weather, how it’s a completely different golf course.

“I was still hitting my targets and even though the putts didn’t fall, I still was confident over every shot. You just can’t be too greedy out here.”

Park is trying to become the first woman to win the first three major championships in a year in which more than three tournaments were designated as majors.

Babe Zaharias won all three majors in 1950, comprising the Titleholders Championship, Women’s Western Open and the US Women’s Open.

“It’s tough not to think about it, but I just try to think that’s not a big deal,” Park said. “If I want to do it so much, it’s just so tough and it puts too much pressure on you.”

In 1961 Mickey Wright won the LPGA Championship US Women’s Open and Titleholders but was third in the Western Open, designated a major that year.

In 1986, Pat Bradley won the Kraft Nabisco, LPGA Championship and du Maurier Classic but missed out at the US Women’s Open.

This year, the LPGA has designated five tournaments as majors: the Kraft Nabisco, LPGA Championship, US Women’s Open, Women’s British Open and the Evian Championship in France.

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