Meechai leads US Women’s Open as Korda misses cut

MIAMI: Wichanee Meechai of Thailand kicked off her round with four straight birdies before signing for a 3-under 67 and taking a two-shot lead into the weekend at the U.S. Women's Open on Friday at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club.

Meechai is 4-under 136 at the midway point of the major championship, one of only four players under par. Andrea Lee shot her second consecutive 69 to sit in second place at 2 under. Former U.S. Women's Open champions Minjee Lee of Australia (69 on Friday) and Yuka Saso of Japan (71) are tied for third place at 1 under. They're all looking up at Meechai, a 31-year-old ranked 158th in the world who has never won in the United States.

"To be honest, before the tee time, I was so nervous," Meechai said. "I just talked to my manager, like my hands just shaking, my brain just stop working. But trying to commit to the shot. I know that the course is hard; just go with the flow probably.

That's my point, and just have fun." Meechai began her round on the back nine and dialed up a tight approach shot 6 feet of the cup at the par-4 10th hole.