Round one leader Jennifer Kupcho stayed in good form for much of the day Friday at the U.S. Women’s Open, but faltered late to fall one back at the end of the morning wave.
Kupcho started the day with three pars before making her first bogey of the day on her fourth hole, the 13th at Riviera Country Club. Like she did throughout Thursday though, she made up for it immediately with a beautiful tee shot on the par 3 14, and converted a seven footer for birdie. The momentum was brief though, as she made a bogey the very next hole to drop back to -4.
After a few pars, Kupcho got her second birdie of the day on the par 5 first, and played good U.S. Open golf with six pars in a row.
On the difficult par 4 eighth hole, Kupcho hit a tee shot left, leaving an awkward angle and stance. She hit her second shot into a valley off the left of the hole, leaving a difficult pitch. After getting it onto the green, she two putted for a bogey. She followed that up with another on the ninth, taking her from the solo lead late in her round, to one back when she finished behind Sei Young Kim, who plays in the afternoon.
Kupcho gave up some strokes on the greens, but once again had a solid day with her ball striking. After her round she said that she needs to keep in her head that every hole gives an opportunity for birdie with positivity.
The second round continues this afternoon, and while Kupcho is safely within the cut line, time will tell if she stays in contention heading into Saturday.
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