Hinako Shibuno took a 3-stroke lead after the second round of the Women's U.S. Open on Friday, shooting a 4-under 67 to boost her chance of winning a second major title.
The 2019 Women's British Open champion started the day in a tie for second and carded six birdies and two bogeys at the Champions Golf Club's Jackrabbit course, moving atop the leaderboard with 7-under-par 135 overall.
Amateur Swede Linn Grant shot a 69 for the second day running to place second, with Megan Khang, overnight leader Amy Olson and amateur Kaitlyn Papp from the United States tied for third, four strokes behind Shibuno.
Shibuno sank two birdies before she had her first bogey of the day on the par-4 eighth, but the 22-year-old stood her ground by getting a birdie on the par-5 10th. She added three more birdies on the back nine while again showing resilience, nailing one on the par-4 17th right after a bogey on the par-3 16th.
"I wonder if this is a dream," said Shibuno. "I want to take a photo of the leaderboard while I'm where I am. Frankly it's really good I've managed to improve my score by four shots."
Her raised profile saw Shibuno struggle with pressure this season, but making her mind "a blank slate" has helped her find her feet at the final major of the year, both in short and long games. She is second in hitting the green in regulation on 81 percent, while her putts are also coming off.
"Getting six (birdies) is a miracle," said Shibuno, who a day earlier assessed her first-round 68 as more than perfect. "I'm giving myself 120 out of 100 (today). I need real tenacity and will give it a proper go (to win)."
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