LANCASTER, Pa. (AP) — Wichanee Meechai has a share of the lead and every reason to feel out of place at a U.S.
Women’s Open that is crowded at the top. Meechai typically is full of doubt and low on confidence, an example of the 31-year-old Thai being honest to a fault. She’s not entirely sure if the rental home where she is staying alone has a ghost, but she thinks they can get along if it does.
And then there was that dream at 3 a.m. Saturday that she forgot to sign her scorecard.
“I dream about the U.S. Open.
I think it’s in my mind, very deep in there,” Meechai said. “I don’t think I can get rid of it. I’m just trying to get along with it.
” All the while, Meechai has been playing like she’s been here all along. She delivered two big pars late Saturday afternoon for a 1-under 69, giving her a share of the lead with two-time major champion Minjee Lee (66) and Stanford alum Andrea Lee (67). Minjee Lee took advantage of one of the forward tees by hitting 6-iron to tap-in range for eagle on the par-5 seventh hole that got her right into the mix, and she stayed there with a few other key shots along the way to match the low score of the championship.
Andrea Lee played bogey-free on the back nine with back-to-back birdies that got her into the final group. Former British Open champion Hinako Shibuno had seven birdies for a 66 and was two behind. Another shot back was Yuka Saso, who saved shots with her putter and one sublime flop shot over a bunker to a tigh.
