U.S. Open blog: The latest action from Pinehurst
Friday, 4:15 p.m.
The USGA didn't get exactly what they were hoping for in last week's men's U.S. Open. This week, at least so far, is a different story. Star power including two Americans atop the leaderboard as of Friday afternoon.
Michelle Wie will head into Saturday playing some really good golf. She is the clubhouse leader after her second straight 68. This could very well be the year Wie nets her first major championship. Now the USGA keeps its collective fingers crossed that Stacy Lewis can hold it together and stay close as well.
It appears the run for 11-year old Lucy Li will come to an end this afternoon. She's already five over today with most of the back nine to play. The projected cut line at this point is 9, so anything over that won't make it. Li sits at 13 for the tournament.
-- Joe Mazur
Thursday, 1:30 p.m.
Now it's hot. Really, really hot in Pinehurst. The heat index is near 100 as we hit early afternoon. The National Weather Service bumped its chance for thunder boomers to close to 40 percent this afternoon.
I got out this morning and walked a few holes with Lucy Li as she made the turn. She's the 11-year old and youngest qualifier. She struggled to an 8 over 78 today. The problem wasn't getting off the tee. Li hit 13 of 14 fairways. The problem, sand. She was 0-6 in sand saves.
"Getting to play in the U.S. Open was a lot of fun. I learned I have got to be patient and not get the big number. I learned a lot" said Li.
I watched her make a messy triple bogey at the par 4 3rd hole after finding a green side bunker. I guess she has a few more years to work on that and she didn't seem too concerned.
It was easy for golf fans to find Li in her super patriotic fashion statement. The glitzy, colorful skirt looks like something a kid would wear, which makes sense. And there's her walking post round with an ice cream. Looks like a good day.
Stacy Lewis, the world number one, got off to a good start. She's at 2 under through 15. Two-time U.S. Open champ Andy North told me he wouldn't be surprised if Lewis or another top player separated herself from the field like Kaymer did last week.
You can catch North during ESPN's coverage of the Open from 3-7.
-- Joe Mazur
Wednesday, 11 p.m.
The heat will be withering, the course will be humbling and the competition will be stiff at Pinehurst.
The person who tackles that triple threat the best will have earned the U.S. Women's Open title.
ABC11's Ngozi Ekeledo has a look at some of the players taking aim.
Wednesday, 4 p.m.
It's time for the women to step to the 1st tee at Pinehurst No.2. The practice rounds are winding down. In fact, at 2:30, there was only one group of women on the course and just a few on the practice range. I guess that either means they are ready to go or it's just too hot!
Speaking of the heat, I was expecting to feel even more uncomfortable today, but to me anyway, it feels about the same as last week. The USGA isn't waiting for it to get more uncomfortable. With temperatures expecting to climb tomorrow, fans that come out to watch are being looked out for.
Walking in the entrance gate, fans will get a voucher for a free bottle of water. They can use that water bottle to refill at "hydration stations" and the first aid tents that have jugs of water inside. The tents also have air conditioning and chairs to help patrons cool off.
Officials are asking fans to use common sense. Make sure if you are coming out, wear sun screen and a hat and stay hydrated. Good for the USGA for getting ahead of any potential problems.
-- Joe Mazur
Tuesday, 6 p.m.
There's a fascinating story unfolding this week at the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Pinehurst Number 2.
All eyes are on a golfer from northern California who is still in middle school.
Eleven-year old Lucy Li is the youngest person to ever qualify for the U.S. Open.
-- Ngozi Ekeledo
Monday, 6 p.m.
Martin Kaymer trampled the field at the men's U.S. Open over the weekend.
We're expecting a little more competitive intrigue when the women tee it up starting on Thursday.
As soon as it was announced that the USGA was going back to back with the opens, many obvious questions and some concerns were raised.
-- Ngozi Ekeledo
