U.S. Women's Open -- End of Day Four

I'm pretty sure that we won't be hearing from Hee Kyung Seo after this week. Birdie Kim of South Korea won the 2005 U.S. Women's Open; so far, that is her only win on the LPGA Tour. In 2008, Inbee Park of South Korea became the youngest-ever winner of the U.S. Women's Open; that is her only LPGA win. And in 2009, the U.S. Women's Open was won by Eun-Hee Ji of South Korea. It was only her second -- and so far, her last -- win on the LPGA tour. This history suggests that this tournament represents H.K. Seo's one and only shot at glory.

Having said that, her performance today was nothing less than magnificent. And we've certainly had a number flukey major winners on the men's tour lately. So if Seo hangs on and wins, I will certainly regard her as a worthy champion. She tied for the lowest score in the third round, and she is on pace to have the lowest score in the fourth round. That is championship golf.

On the other hand, I think she caught a bad break with the stoppage of play. Given the wind and rain that was hammering the course, I don't think anyone could have caught her today. But the course will probably be bright and sunny when play resumes at 8 AM tomorrow morning, which will make things easier for her pursuers. Anyway, here is the current leaderboard:

1. H.K. Seo (KOR): -3 (72 holes)

2. S.Y. Ryu (KOR): -2 (69)

3. C. Kerr: -1 (70)

4. A. Stanford: Even (68)

T5. I. Park (KOR): +2 (72)

T5. K. Webb (AUS): +2 (70)

T7. A. Miyazoto (JPN): +3 (67)

T7. M. Miyazoto (JPN): +3 (67)

T7. R. O'Toole: +3 (67)