Alison Lee and Ruoning Yin Share Lead as Nelly Korda Closes In at U.S. Women’s Open

LOS ANGELES — At the 81st U.S. Women’s Open, Alison Lee took a firm hold of the lead on Friday with a second-round score of 68, tying her with Ruoning Yin at 4-under 138 at the picturesque Riviera Country Club. Nelly Korda, the world’s top-ranked player, made a significant move up the leaderboard with the day’s best round of 67, placing her just two shots behind after a challenging opening day.

The leaderboard remains tightly packed, with Jennifer Kupcho, Sei Young Kim, and Gaby Lopez among six players sitting at 3-under 139. Korda, along with three others, has a cumulative score of 140. The Riviera, which is hosting its first U.S. Women’s Open, proved to be a tough test for many of the top golfers, with only two players managing to complete a bogey-free round on Friday.

Yin, who described the course as “passive aggressive,” continues to impress with her solid play, having recorded two rounds under 70. The young Chinese golfer noted, “I love it. I always say that the more difficult [the course], the better,” showcasing her confidence as she competes at a venue where she previously claimed her first LPGA Tour victory earlier this year.

Lee, a local favorite who grew up in Valencia, displayed consistent performance with back-to-back birdies before the turn. Her strong start to the season includes a recent third-place finish at the Mizuho Americas Open. Reflecting on her journey, Lee said, “To win in basically my backyard, where I grew up, would be super cool.” Despite facing challenges throughout her career, including a break for the birth of her son, Levi, she is now relishing the support of her family during this pivotal tournament.

Kupcho, who led after the first round, struggled with a 73 in her second round after an impressive 66 earlier in the tournament. Kim, who was trailing Kupcho, experienced a mix of ups and downs but remains a contender as the tournament progresses.