Chevron Championship winner Mao Saigo has taken a three-stroke lead into the weekend of the 2025 U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills.
While the second round technically isn’t over yet, everyone within six strokes of the lead has wrapped up their rounds with Saigo at the top after an incredible -6 66. This was the lowest round of the week so far.
Saigo remained steady throughout making seven birdies and one bogey. Even her bogey wasn’t in any way her fault. On the par 5 14, Saigo hit a pitch shot that looked like it was going to check up leaving her with a birdie putt well within make range. Unfortunately for Saigo, she got the unluckiest break of the year when it hit the flag stick and rolled off the green and into a green side bunker.
Apart from that freakish circumstance, it was a flawless day for the 2024 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year. She led the field in strokes gained putting and was fourth in strokes gained approach, which is always a great recipe for success no matter the course. She had just 24 putts, well below the field average for the week.
Chasing is a large group at -5 that includes major champions Nelly Korda, Hinako Shibuno and A Lim Kim along with Maja Stark, Yealimi Noh and Sarah Schmelzel. 18 players are within five strokes, and with the volatility that Erin Hills can show, there’s a lot of players still in contention.
It looked early like Saigo would be in an even more comfortable position after getting out in the early wave, but the predicted afternoon winds stayed relatively calm, allowing Schmelzel, Stark and Shibuno to take advantage. With decent weather in the forecast this weekend, players will be able to make birdies and a charge at the commanding lead.
