Amy Yang leads U.S. Women’s Open by three strokes

Amy Yang rolled in four consecutive birdies in a round of four-under-par 66 for a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster, Pa.

While the bulk of the field tried to solve the sloping greens at Lancaster Country Club, Yang charged into the lead on her inward nine with birdies on Nos. 11-14. The 25-year-old South Korean was at seven-under 133.

“I just enjoy it out here,” Yang said. “And I know the golf courses are very tough; I just enjoy the tough condition of the golf courses.”

Stacy Lewis, last year’s runner-up, and Japan’s Shiho Oyama were tied for second at 136. Marina Alex, part of a three-way tie for the lead after one round, carded a 71 and was next at 137.

“I just started playing golf, is really what it was,” Lewis said, “I was thinking a lot those first 10, 11 holes, thinking a lot about my golf swing and just not playing. So I got to just playing golf … and it’s what you’re seeing in the scores.”

Defending champion Michelle Wie rebounded from an opening 72 with a two-under 68 and was seven shots off the lead.

John Deere Classic

Justin Thomas shot a four-under 67 to take a one-shot lead through two rounds at Silvis, Ill., as Jordan Spieth made a move.

Thomas, a 22-year-old seeking his first career win, is at 12-under 130. Johnson Wagner and Tom Gillis are a shot back.

Spieth shot a seven-under 64 to go from at risk of missing the cut to moving within five of the lead. Spieth, who will try for his third consecutive major title next week at the British Open, made four birdies in six holes, then eagled the par-five second hole to jump into contention.

Scottish Open

Some of the top names in golf were being upstaged by a player ranked No. 528 in the world, with unheralded Englishman Daniel Brooks taking a three-shot lead after the second round at Gullane.

Brooks, who recently missed 13 straight cuts on the European Tour, rolled in a 30-foot putt for birdie on the last hole for a five-under 65, which followed up a first-round 64 and put him in command of the links tuneup for next week’s British Open at St. Andrews.

Defending champion Justin Rose and Shane Lowry shot 66 and were in a six-way tie for second place at eight under. Phil Mickelson shot a 68 that lifted him to three under overall, despite what he called a “horrific” round on the greens.

Champions

Two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen, who turned 50 last August, shot a seven-under 65 to grab a share of the lead at the Encompass Championship at Glenview, Ill. Brad Bryant, David Frost and Fred Funk also shot 65 at North Shore Country Club.

“The course was perfect and it was playing easy, I guess,” said Fred Couples, who had a 68.