Allisen Corpuz hits from the 15th tee during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open on Friday. — AP photo
PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. — As one Hawaii golf star is bidding farewell, another is continuing her rise up the LPGA Tour ranks.
Allisen Corpuz fired a 2-under 70 in the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open on Friday that left the 25-year-old from Kapolei, Oahu, two strokes off the lead heading into the weekend at Pebble Beach.
Corpuz, who shot 69 in the first round, remained steady Friday with four birdies and a pair of bogeys as she stayed in contention for her first major title, which would also be her first LPGA Tour title. The Punahou School graduate joined the tour in 2022 after a stellar career at the University of Southern California.
“I think going into this year it really has just been about getting better and better,” Corpuz was quoted as saying in a story on the U.S. Women’s Open website. “I honestly still need to get a little more comfortable, I think, in contention. So that’s really been the focus this year, just really trying to put myself into that spot and then hopefully learn how to convert as it keeps happening.”
Corpuz’s 36-hole total of 5-under 139 put her in a tie for second place with Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea, two in back of tour rookie Bailey Tardy, who seized the lead with a 68.
Michelle Wie West waves to the gallery after her round Friday. — AP photo
While Corpuz is just beginning her career, Friday signaled the end of that of fellow Punahou alum Michelle Wie West. The former golf prodigy and U.S. Women’s Open champion closed her round of 79 with a 30-foot par putt on the 18th green. She finished at 14-over 158, well off the cutline of 6 over.
Wie West, who last year retired from the tour and announced that this would be her final tournament, played alongside Annika Sorenstam, who also carded a 79 and missed the cut. This was their final U.S. Women’s Open, and they paused to hug each other before reaching the 18th green.
Wie West always wanted her daughter to see her play, and she cradled 3-year-old McKenna when it was over.
“It was really an emotional day, all the way to the end,” Wie West said. “It was such a strange feeling. And now that it’s over, it’s an even stranger feeling.”
Tardy has made only four cuts this year, her best finish a tie for 23rd in the Lotte Championship at Hoakalei. Her only professional victory was two years ago on the LPGA’s developmental tour and she is No. 455 in the world ranking.
And she was not the least bit surprised when she walked off the 18th green with the lead.
“I’ve always believed in myself to win any tournament that I enter,” Tardy said. “I’m good enough to be here, and I’ve been on the LPGA, so I feel like I definitely have the game to hang with the best in the world.”
Two other Hawaii golfers also missed the cut Friday: Maryknoll graduate Allysha Mae Mateo, who shot a 78 to finish at 16 over, and Iolani alum Marissa Chow, who was another three shots back after an 84.
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