Los Angeles (AFP)

Japan's Hinako Shibuno, victorious in the 2019 British Open, surrendered a card of 67 on Friday to take the lead in the Women's US Open three strokes ahead of her closest rivals.

Only 22 years old, Shibuno is seven strokes under par after 36 holes on the Champions Golf Club course in Houston, Texas.

Shibuno made six birdies and only did two bogeys on the Jackrabbit course, one of the two used for the first two laps, but she said she did not feel "at all confident" and that his way of playing "didn't look like him".

The first chaser is a Swedish amateur player, Linn Grant, 21 years old.

She had two laps in a row in 69 and found herself alone in second ahead of Americans Amy Olson, Megan Khang and Kaitlyn Papp.

The weather conditions in December (rain and wind) did not help some players, also destabilized by the fact that this Major, initially scheduled for June, is being played behind closed doors.

"It's funny not hearing anything when you birdie," said Shibuno, a four-time winner last year on the Japanese LPGA Tour.

The Korean Kim Sei-young, world number 2, is so far only tied for 14th after playing Friday in 69 at Cypress Creek.

As for her compatriot Ko Jin-young, world number 1, she is only 29th after a 70 Friday on the Jackrabbit greens.

The American Cristie Kerr, winner of this Major in 2007, played 69 on the other course, that of Cypress Creek where the tournament will end.

She is tied for 6th place when she recently injured her ribs in a car accident ... golf.

Provisional general classification of the US Open women after the 2nd round played on Friday on two courses at the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas (par 71):

1. Hinako Shibuno (JPN) -7 (68-67)

2. Linn Grant (SWE) -4 (69-69)

3. Kaitlyn Papp (USA) -3 (71-68)

.

Megan Khang (USA) -3 (70-69)

.

Amy Olson (USA) -3 (67-72)

6. Lindsey Weaver (USA) -2 (70-70)

.

Sarah Schmelzel (USA) -2 (71-69)

.

Ashleigh Buhai (RSA) -2 (71-69)

.

Cristie Kerr (USA) -2 (71-69)

.

Stacy Lewis (USA) -2 (72-68)

.

Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) -2 (70-70)

.

Moriya Jutanugarn (THA) -2 (68-72)

.

Yuka Saso (PHI) -2 (69-71)

14. Azahara Munoz (ESP) -1 (71-70)

.

Yealimi Noh (USA) -1 (72-69)

.

Lizette Salas (USA) -1 (72-69)

.

Lydia Ko (NZL) -1 (71-70)

.

Kim Sei-young (KOR) -1 (72-69)

.

Ingrid Lindblad (SWE) -1 (72-69)

20. Pauline Roussin-Bouchard (FRA) 0 (70-72)

...

29. Ko Jin-young (KOR) +1 (73-70)

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