PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – If you saw this coming, congratulations, you’re leading the U.S. Women’s Open.
“I mean, I could. Other people maybe not, but I've always believed in myself to win any tournament that I enter,” said Bailey Tardy, following a 4-under 68 to sit two clear of Hyo Joo Kim (71) and Allisen Corpuz (70) at Pebble Beach.
Tardy’s self-belief aside, this was not an easily envisioned scenario. Playing in her rookie season on the LPGA, the 26-year-old from the University of Georgia, had five rounds in the 60s and 11 rounds of 75 or higher entering this week’s championship.