Triple problems stand for stunning Lee

Minjee Lee blows to one of the seven birdies in a beautiful second round in Charleston. Photo: USGA

There is only one word that stands between Minjee Lee and a super prominent position on the US Women & # 39; s Open leaderboard – "others."

On a second day in which two hours were lost due to dangerous weather, Lee moved the last hole in the darkness to be the last player to complete her round – a great two-under-par 69 who left her ninth with two under and only four from half the lead.

Now that 45 players have yet to complete their second round, the chance that the cut three is over is probably already swept to four. This effectively seals the fate of four of the seven Aussie women, with Melbourne amateur Gabi Ruffels the only one to start again on day three.

Ruffels is eight left to play with five holes, in addition to the double champion Karrie Webb who finished in the same score.

Sarah Kemp (+6) and Su Oh (+5) will also miss the promotion at the weekend.

Katherine Kirk made a bogey in the final hole, but had already done enough to move three, while one of the best rounds of the day belonged to US Open debutant Hannah Green, whose 68 brought her through the field to finish at two over on the back of five excellent birdies.

But Aussie's hope is likely to rest again with Lee, the world No. 2 who was breathtaking at times in her second round in seven skiers up seven birdies

And while there were two other bogeys in an entertaining round for the young West Australian, there was one blemish that protected her from an even greater charge than her great 69.

Lee, whose trademark is generally its consistency, found himself in a rare and unwanted position – the column & # 39; others & # 39; on the USGA statistics sheet that scores on each hole.

The tee-shot of the Royal Fremantle member on the distinctive 144m 11th hole of the Country Club of Charleston failed.

From there it snowed quickly and after her second and third shots fell back after she had not conquered the false front of the pin, her fourth found the pit surface, but too far away to make five and much of her good work was undone with a triple boomer from almost nowhere.

Remarkably, the eleventh, accessible with a short-to-medium-length iron, is the most difficult hole on the course – an unlikely half-shot over par is average for the field. Incredibly, it was paraded 75 times on day two alone, with 45 bogeys, 12 double-bogey & five, & five dreaded & # 39; others & # 39; against only nine birdies in the 156-strong field.

It was then that the weather delay was enforced and probably played in Lee & # 39; s hands when she returned and immediately birdied the 12th and 13th hole to minimize the damage.

Lee made another bogey out of the blue in the long 15th, but regained that blow with a beautiful tee shot to the par-three 17th in fading light for her last birdie.

The Japanese Mamiko Higa birdied her last hole – the ninth – to restore her night-time lead at six, one shot away from Jessica Korda and two free from amateur Gina Kim and Vic Open champion Celine Boutier.

A swag of big names is ahead of Lee in three ranks, including Women & # 39; s Australian Open champion Nelly Korda and her countryman Lexi Thompson, both of whom have yet to complete their round.

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