Mamiko Higa holds onto the lead during US Women & # 39; s Open

CHARLESTON, SC – Mamiko Higa from Japan birdied three of her last six holes after an almost two-hour weather delay, an even mating 71 and maintaining a one-shot lead Friday in the suspended second round of the Women's Open in the United States.

A day after recording a 65 for the lowest debut round in the tournament history, Higa was a blow behind Jessica Korda at storm and lightning induced officials to suspend play in the Charleston Country Club. When the game resumed, Higa rediscovered her touch in the first round and regained the lead over Korda on six par's with a 14-footer on her final hole.

Forty-five players were on the court when the game was stopped because of darkness. They end on Saturday before the third round starts.

Korda shot a 68, her lowest score in 38 career rounds in the big tournament.

The American amateur Gina Kim had a 72-year-old age with Céline Boutier in France. Boutier had four holes to play.

Lexi Thompson and Nelly Korda, Jessica & # 39; s younger sister, were among four players among three. Thompson has two holes to play, and the younger Korda has three. There were also three under the American Jaye Marie Green and Jeongeun Lee6 from South Korea. Green shot a 68 and Lee6 – who used her unique name after the Korean L.P.G.A. gave it to her because five other players had registered with the same name – a 69.

The double US Women & # 39; s Open champion Inbee Park belonged to a group of eight out of two below after her second consecutive 70

Jin Young Ko, the number 1 ranked player in the world, was right after a 70th, while Ariya Jutanugarn, the title defender of the tournament, was two left with two holes left.

Higa struggled much of its round before the rains came. She started immediately after the long break by rolling in an 11-foot birdie-putt and tying Korda at the top. Higa regained the lead on each of her last two birdies on the par-5 fifth and ninth holes.

Higa stumbled with a three-burner bogey on the seventh hole, again in a draw with Korda. But on the final hole, with darkness approaching, Higa hit 14 feet confidently and entered the clubhouse with the 36-hole lead on the second major of the season.

"I could complete a tough day with a little bird," she said through an interpreter, "and so I was so happy."

Jessica Korda completed her bogey-free performance – only her fifth part-70, which is shown in 38 career rounds for this major – well for the weather delay. Korda played in milder circumstances & # 39; in the morning, but didn't cause her to make a birdie on the par-15 15th hole – she opened on the last nine – and followed that with another on the par-3 17th.

Her last birdie came on the par-5 fifth when she landed just next to the green in two and then landed at a depth of 3 feet and went down to five while she was finished before Higa finished.

Korda had planned to be more aggressive on the par-5 & # 39; s and accomplished that with little birds on two of the three on Charleston & # 39; s par-71 layout. She left her approach on the last par-5, the ninth hole, about 40 feet away and settled for par.

Korda was happy with her strategy not to lead the way. "It's an American Open," she said. "Patience is the name of the game."

With three remaining holes for each, the new professionals Jennifer Kupcho and Maria Fassi were both within the projected cut of three. Kupcho, the Augusta National amateur amateur, was right. Fassi, the N.C.A.A. individual champion ladies, three were left.

A lightning strike during the delay struck a large tree next to the 18th fairway with a loud bang that could be heard throughout the clubhouse area, where players, caddies and tournament staff and volunteers had shelter

" It was very frightening, "said Emma Talley, who won the American Women & # 39; s Amateur in Charleston in 2013 and is competing this week. "I'm glad everyone was OK. I was afraid it hit one of the tents, but I'm happy it hit the tree."