Notes: Tamulis looks ready to finally make U.S. Women's Open cut

SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. -- Kris Tamulis looks like she'll finally get to stick around for the weekend at the U.S. Women's Open.

The 26-year-old missed the cut in both of her previous appearances, but she closed out a first-round 72 to finish the first round Friday morning and followed with a steady 71 to stay close to the leaders.

At 1-over 143, she was one stroke behind In-Bee Park, the clubhouse leader after two rounds. Angela Park, who opened with a 3-under 68, didn't even hit a shot because bad weather forced an early end to Friday's play.

The top 60 players along with those within 10 strokes of the lead make the cut after 36 holes.

"I wasn't always going for the flag," Tamulis said. "So I wasn't really shooting to make birdie as much as I was just trying to make pars."

She did plenty of that Friday. She finished the second round with 16 pars, hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation.

It was an improvement from her past performances at the Open. An all-Atlantic Coast Conference player at Florida State, Tamulis was 18 over par as an amateur in 2002 at Prairie Dunes, and 7 over in 2004 at The Orchards, both times missing the cut.

Now the biggest challenge is waiting patiently while other golfers wrap up their second round Saturday before she can tee off again. And with no place to really fulfill her love of shopping in the area, she joked that she's down to eating cookies to relax.

When Laura Davies lifted the U.S. Women's Open trophy in 1987, it was a Wednesday. (AP)

"I think U.S. Opens kind of set up good for me because I just hit it down the fairway, and then I hit it in the middle of the green and I make a putt every once in a while ... and try not to make too many big numbers," Tamulis said.

"I'd take par for four days on this golf course and walk away very happy."

Stormy skies

This isn't the record the U.S. Women's Open had in mind.

Storms have suspended play at Pine Needles every day this week, including three practice rounds. Mike Davis, the USGA's senior director of rules and competition, said there had never been a suspension every day of a championship event. More storms were forecast for Saturday, making another delay possible.

"I don't know whether to root for it (bad weather) or not on Sunday for a record, but we may get to it," Davis said.