Asia dominates at the US Women’s Open. The empire of the slanted eyes has invaded and conquered Lancaster like few times before in a Major. The top thirteen are Asian or of Asian origin, as well as seventeen of the top eighteen and twenty-three of the top twenty-five. Crazy. It’s a supremacy. Here’s the scoop: the US Open will be won this Sunday by a golfer with slanted eyes. Bet, you won’t be wrong.
Asia has been the dominant empire of women’s golf in the last 15 years, especially because of the players from South Korea. However, in recent times the South Koreans had lost some momentum and the Thais, Japanese, Chinese and, above all, a new species of golfers: those born in the United States, Oceania or Europe, but of Asian origin, had been added in droves. All of this is creating a breeding ground that has revealed itself with extraordinary force in this US Open.
With 18 holes to go to meet the new champion of the United States Open, leading in Lancaster are Minjee Lee (-5), Australian of Asian origin, Andrea Lee (-5), American of Asian origin and Wichanee Meechai (-5), Thai. Two strokes behind is Hinako Shibuno (-3), Japanese, and three behind is Yuka Saso (-2), a Filipino who competes under the Japanese flag because of her origins. These five are the only ones who remain under par in the US Open and among them should be tomorrow’s victory. The big favourite, by pedigree, is Minjee Lee, champion of two Majors, including this one in 2021, and with ten victories in the LPGA at only 28 years old.
However, if we look further down the leaderboard, we find in sixth place Sakura Koiwai (+1), from Japan, and Jim Hee Im (+1), from South Korea. And the top 10 is rounded off by the Thai Arpichaya Yubol (+2), the Japanese Rio Takeda (+2) and the Korean Mi Hyang Lee (+2). Undeniable. The first golfer without slanted eyes in the ranking is Ally Ewing (+4), 14th place, and the other one in the top 25 is the German Sophia Popov (+5). Unless there’s a big surprise this Sunday, neither has a chance of winning.
The day has been a little more benign in terms of results. The USGA has loosened up. It has prepared a course about a hundred yards shorter and has generously watered the greens to make them a little more receptive. There was also less wind than Thursday and Friday and all this has resulted in two rounds of 66 strokes (Minjee and Shibuno) and thirteen rounds under par, four more than yesterday with half the players in contention after the cut. We’ll see what they prepare for tomorrow. Whether they decide to tighten the course to the maximum again or if they keep the hand open to see more birdies.
Carlota Ciganda (+7) has not been able to take advantage of these good conditions to play under par and get closer to the lead. She shot 72, with three birdies and five bogeys. The best part of her round came in the final stretch, with three brutal putts on the last holes. On the 16th she holed for birdie from just over six metres, on the 16th she made a par putt from three metres and finished with another birdie putt from eight metres on the 18th. It is, without a doubt, a good boost for tomorrow. Finishing in the top 10 would be a great goal, although for that she would normally have to sign the best round of the day.
