Eagle, ID -- Fifteen-year-old Taylore Karle followed up her blistering opening-round 63 with a 4-under-par 67 to set a new stroke- play qualifying record and earn medalist honors at the 57th U.S. Girls’ Junior on Tuesday.
Earlier Tuesday, Angela Park fired an 8-under 63 to finish with a two-day total of 132 and beat, by one stroke, the previous mark of 133 set by Christina Kim at the 2001 championship. But Karle’s 67 in the afternoon gave her a two-day total of 12-under-par 130.
Karle’s 130 is also a new low for 36-hole qualifying at any USGA amateur championship, besting the previous mark of 131 set by Danny Green at the 2004 U.S. Amateur Public Links.
‘I like match play a lot better than stroke play,’ said Karle looking forward. ‘It’s more of a mental game and more of the challenge. Instead of the course, it’s more with another person and I really enjoy that. It’s definitely a mind game, which I enjoy.’
Hsiao-Ching Lu, a semifinalist a year ago, and Esther Choe finished three back after posting a second-round five-under 66 and six-under 65, respectively.
Morgan Pressel, the co-runner-up at the 2005 U.S. Women’s Open, finished four strokes off Karle’s pace.
The field is now down to 64 players for match play. The first and second rounds of match play are scheduled for Wednesday, the third and quarterfinal rounds will be played Thursday, the semifinal matches are on Friday, and the 18-hole championship final is scheduled for Saturday.
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