US Women's Open Saturday: An All American Showdown

Halfway through the 2009 US Women's Open, it appears that American players are on the cusp of a major championship victory.  The final pair features Cristie Kerr - one of the heavy pre-tournament favorites - and one of the fan favorites in Paula Creamer, who has been battling known and unknown ailments all season.  Kerr is at -3 and a shot ahead of Creamer, whose 68 yesterday was the second best round of the day.

Credit: USGA

The round of the day belonged to Italiani Giulia Sergas, whose 67 corrected an opening 75 and places her at even par through two rounds.  Joining her on even par is first round leader Na Yeon Choi, who faltered yesterday morning with 74.

Squished in between the two is Duramed Futures Tour player Jean Reynolds.  The only other player under par, Reynolds will go off with Choi in the next to last pairing this afternoon.

Lurking just five shots out of the lead of Kerr is fourteen year old amateur Alexis Thompson.  Building off of her solid experience at the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Thompson said that it gave her confidence in this championship.  But, she is still not certain that she is ready for the major championship spotlight.

"I'm going to go through junior golf, and if I go into these or Kraft, I'm just going to go out there and play well," Thompson said.  Later, though, she admitted to liking the atmosphere and crowds.  "I sort of like bigger crowds because when they cheer, it sort of gets [me] going."

That doesn't mean that the situation does not have an impact on the more experienced set.  Cristie Kerr noted that she began the round feeling light-headed.

"I was kind of feeling really light-headed when I started. I don't know whether it was the cardio I did before the round. I ate enough, but just maybe a little pumped up."

Kerr noted that eating during the round and her solid early play calmed her down.  Having an American playing partner in Paula Creamer also will calm her down today.  Kerr seems pleased with the pairing.

"It's great. I got the question earlier in the week, why aren't more American golfers playing well, and I think we're kind of answering that question."

For her part, Creamer summed up what to expect today on the course very well.

"The USGA is not going to make it easy on us, that's for sure. I'm going to have to be prepared for that. I'm going to hit some good shots and not be rewarded. I'm going to hopefully hit some good shots and be rewarded."