Saso fights back into Evian contention; Arejola shines at Four winds

MANILA, Philippines -- Yuka Saso refused to let another major championship slip away.

Facing the prospect of a third straight missed cut in a major, the two-time US Women's Open champion produced a stirring four-under 67 Friday to rescue her campaign at the Evian Championship in France, charging from the brink of elimination into the thick of contention heading into the weekend.

The ICTSI-backed star climbed from outside the projected cut line to a share of 23rd at 139, eight strokes behind new leader Lottie Woad but very much alive with 36 holes remaining at the par-71 Evian Resort Golf Club.

Saso's fightback became even more impressive after she stumbled with a bogey on No. 12 following a back-nine start. Instead of fading, she rediscovered the form that has made her one of the LPGA Tour's most dangerous players in the biggest events.

She ignited her rally with back-to-back birdies from No. 14, then piled on three more coming home, including birdies on her final two holes, for a pair of nines of 35 and 32 at the par-71 layout.

The timely turnaround not only erased the disappointment of recent missed cuts – including exits in the last two majors – but also restored her hopes of making a weekend charge on a course that has continued to yield low scores from the world's best.

Woad stormed to the top of the leaderboard with a sizzling 64 highlighted by five birdies over her final eight holes, taking a one-shot lead at 131 over first-round leader Akie Iwai, who slowed down with a 69 after a 63 for 132.

Recent Women's PGA Championship winner Haeran Ryu fired a 68 to move to 134, sharing third place with Mao Saigo, who also carded a 68.

World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul, who matched Saso's opening-round 72, unleashed one of the day's best rounds with a 64. She played the four par-5s in five-under, highlighted by an eagle on No. 7, while adding birdies on Nos. 10 and 1 to climb to a share of fifth at 136, five shots behind Woad.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda, meanwhile, suffered a rare early major exit. A costly bogey on the 17th led to a 69 and a 36-hole total of 143, one stroke outside the cut line.

Meanwhile, in Indiana, Tomi Arejola continued to build momentum toward what could be a breakthrough week on the Epson Tour.

The 25-year-old Campbell University product fired a flawless five-under 67 in the opening round of the Four Winds Invitational at Blackthorn Golf Club in South Bend, vaulting into a tie for third, just one stroke behind co-leaders Huai-Chien Hsu and Jennifer Rosenberg, who matched 66s.

It marked Arejola's strongest start since joining the Epson Tour and showcased the consistency that has often eluded her this season.

Starting on the back nine, Arejola birdied Nos. 11, 17 and 18 before adding two more birdies on Nos. 1 and 6 to complete a bogey-free 33-34 card, putting herself in prime position to contend entering Saturday's second round of the 54-hole tournament.

Her sparkling effort also paced the Filipina contingent.

Veteran Dottie Ardina carded a 70 to share 32nd place, while two-time Epson Tour winner Clariss Guce and ICTSI-backed Bianca Pagdanganan both settled for 71s to tie for 57th.

Pauline del Rosario and Sam Bruce, meanwhile, struggled with rounds of 75 and 76, respectively, leaving both facing the prospect of missing the cut.