Alison Lee, a native of the Los Angeles area, has captured a share of the lead at the 81st U.S. Women’s Open. With a second-round score of 68, Lee joins Ruoning Yin at 4-under 138 atop the leaderboard at the historic Riviera Country Club.

Local Talent Shines

Lee, who grew up in suburban Valencia, has been playing under par for two consecutive days at Riviera. Her performance is highlighted by back-to-back birdies just before the turn. As a new mother, Lee has returned to the tour with renewed determination, supported by her family in Valencia. Her 13-month-old son, Levi, was present for Friday’s round, adding a personal touch to her strong performance.

Ruoning Yin, from China, also shares the lead after two consistent rounds of 69. Yin, who previously won her first LPGA Tour victory in Los Angeles in 2023, has shown her prowess on the challenging course, which she described as “passive aggressive.”

Challenging Course Conditions

The Riviera Country Club, hosting its first U.S. Women’s Open, has proven to be a formidable challenge for the world’s best golfers. Only two players managed a bogey-free round on Friday, with Yin being the only player to shoot two sub-70 rounds so far.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda is also in contention, shooting the day’s lowest round at 67, leaving her just two shots behind the leaders. The competition remains fierce, with several players closely trailing the leaders, including Jennifer Kupcho, Sei Young Kim, and Gaby Lopez.

As the tournament progresses, the local community is rallying behind Lee, hoping for a hometown victory at this prestigious event. Her journey reflects the resilience and support of family, a cornerstone of strong communities.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.