Caporusso shoots into Open hunt

Illinois Women's Open

A couple of amazing things happened Friday in the Illinois Women's Open.

First, it was amazing the second round was played at all -- what with a dire forecast for a day of fog, thunderstorms and flash flooding in northeast Illinois.

And second, for the second straight day, a teenager posted a 4-under 68 at the 6,079-yard Mistwood Golf Club in Romeoville. Michelle Caporusso, an 18-year-old from Mount Prospect, carded 5 birdies against a lone bogey to move into the top 15.

Caporusso equaled the 68 carded in Thursday's opening round by 17-year-old Samantha Sloan of Lansing, who clung to first place at 3-under-par 141 after a 1-over 73. Closing the gap to 1 stroke at 142 was Northwestern University senior Katie Trachok of Pittsburgh, who shot her second straight 71.

Also moving up was defending champion Jenna Pearson of Wheaton, a Futures Tour pro who bounced back from an opening 74 with a 3-under 69 to move into third place.

Caporusso, who will be a freshman at Michigan State this fall after a standout high school career at Prospect, had birdies on three par-4s.

"Today everything was on," she said. "Usually I struggle with one or two aspects of my game, but not today. Everything was working, and I really putted well."

The field of 17 professionals and 68 amateurs was trimmed to 34 for today's third and final round. The cut was 156. Play is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. today, with the leaders off at 11:50 a.m.

The Illinois Women's Open has an $11,000 purse plus $1,000 to the low professional.