Alison Lee has seized a share of the lead at the 81st US Women's Open with a second-round 68 in her native Los Angeles area, joining Ruoning Yin at four under atop a crowded leaderboard at Riviera.
But only one of the six competing Australians currently sit in the top 20 after Friday's (Saturday AEST) action, with Karis Davidson's two-over-par 73 leaving her at even and joint 17th.
Compatriots Hannah Green (73) is one over, Grace Kim (72) two over and Minjee Lee (76) three over to remain slim chances of winning, but Stephanie Kyriacou (78) and Sarah Hammett (77) won't feature on the weekend after finishing off the pace at six and 15 over.
World No.1 Nelly Korda jumped into the hunt for her first Open title by shooting the day's lowest round at 67, leaving her just two shots back.
