U.S. Women's Open Wrap-Up: Day 2

Almost all of the exciting action happened this morning at the U.S. Women's Open, where Suzann Pettersen of Norway shot a 68 to take a one-shot lead over former wunderkind Michelle Wie, who tied for third in this tournament back in 2006, when she was only 16 years old. Wie is now 22, and she has only had one top-ten finish in a major since that 2006 appearance. She's also been having a dreadful year in 2012, with only four made cuts in 10 appearances. But she looked like her old self today, putting up a dazzling 66 to charge into contention. Cristie Kerr, who won this tournament in 2007 and who had top 3 finishes in 2009 and 2011, is tied with Wie. Others in contention include the 2008 champion, Inbee Park, and 17-year-old Lexi Thompson.

Miss Emma Talley -- we refer to her as "Miss" Emma Talley because she is still an amateur -- made the cut at four over par. She is in a tie for 45th place, but she is only two shots behind the current low amateur, Miss Lydia Ko of New Zealand. Tomorrow, Miss Talley tees off at 8:20 A.M. C.D.T. Her playing partner will be Sun-Young Yoo of Korea, who won a major (the Kraft Nabisco Championship) earlier this year. Given that only three amateurs made the cut, Miss Talley's performance should be regarded as a success no matter what happens from here.

At the Greenbrier Classic, J.B. Holmes finished with a two-under par 68 today. He is seven-under par for the tournament. He's in a tie for seventh place, but he's only two shots off of the lead. Kenny Perry is at four-under par, in a tie for 23d place.

I will be out tomorrow, so I will not be able to live-blog the third round of the U.S. Women's Open. But I plan to do a wrap-up tomorrow night.

Here is the top of the leaderboard after round 2 of the U.S. Women's Open:

1. S. Pettersen (NOR): -5 (71+68=139)

T2. M. Wie: -4 (74+66=140)

T2. C. Kerr: -4 (69+71=140)

T4. S. Gal (GER): -3 (71+70=141)

T4. I. Park (KOR): -3 (71+70=141)

T4. V. Hurst: -3 (71+70=141)

T7. L. Salas: -2 (69+73=141)

T7. M. Miyazato (JPN): -2 (71+71=142)

T9. N.Y. Choi (KOR): -1 (71+72=143)

T9. N. Castrale: -1 (73+70=143)

T9. L. Thompson: -1 (70+73=143)

T9. I.H. Lee (KOR): -1 (72+71=143)