Kim A-lim 3 shots off lead at weather-interrupted LPGA major

Korea's Kim A-lim marks her score on the 16th hole during the second round of the U.S. Women's Open golf tournament at Erin Hills in Wisconsin, U.S., Friday. AP-Yonhap

South Korean LPGA player Kim A-lim is still in contention midway through the weather-interrupted U.S. Women's Open.

Kim found herself in a six-way tie for second place at five-under overall after shooting a one-under 71 in the second round of the major tournament at Erin Hills in southeast Wisconsin, Friday (local time).

Play was put on hold for about an hour, from 6:32 p.m. to 7:26 p.m., due to "dangerous weather" in the area, with scattered thunderstorms having been forecast. Following the delay, the second round was suspended at 8:26 p.m. due to darkness, with 12 players still on the course.

Kim sits three shots behind Mao Saigo of Japan, who shot a six-under 66 in the second round before the weather delay to move to eight-under for the tournament. Saigo is chasing her second straight major victory after winning the Chevron Championship in April.

Kim, the 2020 U.S. Women's Open champion, had three birdies and two bogeys Friday in pursuit of her second career major title. The world No. 30 won the 2025 season-opening event, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, in February.

Players of Asian descent have won five straight LPGA majors, starting with Yuka Saso of Japan at last year's U.S. Women's Open.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda is among the half-dozen players tied for second place. The American star put up a 67 in the second round with seven birdies against two bogeys.

Among other South Korean players, Im Jin-hee, who had shared the first-round lead with Kim, is tied for eighth at four-under after carding an even-par 72 in the second round.

Three South Koreans are tied for 12th at three-under, a group that includes LPGA rookie Yoon Ina.

The projected cut was set at even par, and some notable South Koreans were in danger of missing it.

Ryu Hae-ran, the top South Korean in the world rankings at No. 5, is sitting at one-over. She began the tournament with 75 and her second round of 70 wasn't enough to keep her around for the weekend.

Two other South Koreans in the top 10, Kim Hyo-joo (No. 7) and Ko Jin-young (No. 10), will likely miss the cut. Kim went 75-73 and Ko carded 73-72 over the first two rounds.