Yu shot a 2-under 70 in the second round of the LPGA Tour Mizuho Americas Open on May 9 at Mountain Ridge Country Club in West Caldwell, New Jersey (par 72). After an even-par 72 in round one, she carded three birdies and one bogey to reach 2-under 142 and vault into a tie for fifth. She trails solo leader Gino Tiitikun by six shots; Tiitikun sits at 8-under 136.
Her play was steady. She saved par through holes 1–8, then seized momentum with back-to-back birdies on 9 and 10. She added another birdie on the par-3 14th. A lone bogey on the closing par-4 18th blemished the card, but overall she minimized mistakes and protected her position.
Yu has been in strong form this season. She has five top-10 finishes in her last eight starts and, with three career LPGA victories, looks well positioned to add her first win of the year.
The leaderboard remains tight. Defending champion Tiitikun shot a 3-under 69 in round two to reach 8-under 136 and hold the lead. Jennifer Kupcho is second at 5-under 139, Brooke Matthews is third at 4-under 140, and Céline Boutier is fourth at 3-under 141.
Rain and strong winds are forecast for rounds three and four. In those conditions, avoiding bogeys will likely matter more than chasing birdies. If Yu maintains the calm, strategic play she showed in round two, a six-shot deficit is recoverable.
Photos: Getty Images / AFP / Yonhap News
