U.S. Women’s Open: Bailey Tardy latest UGA Bulldog leaving a mark

Pebble Seashore is internet hosting the U.S. Ladies’s Open for the primary time, and Bailey Tardy is the newest Georgia Bulldog to contend at a serious championship.

Tardy, who has by no means made the minimize at a U.S. Ladies’s Open earlier than, fired a 4-under 68 on Friday to vault up the leaderboard at Pebble Seashore.

As of this writing, she holds a share of the lead at 7-under for the championship.

Tardy is considerably of a journeywoman, making her simple to root for.

The previous Bulldog is presently the 455th-ranked participant on the planet and has but to complete higher than twenty third on the LPGA Tour this season.

Photograph by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures

But, she appears to be like like a seasoned professional. Hardy dominated the well-known par-5 sixth gap at Pebble Seashore, making an eagle there on each Thursday and Friday to place her in competition.

Now she hopes to change into the primary Georgia Bulldog to win a serious since Bubba Watson gained the 2014 Masters Event.

Different Bulldogs have contended at majors since then and have change into stalwarts on the PGA Tour.

Harris English not too long ago tied for eighth on the 2023 U.S. Open on the Los Angeles Nation Membership. He gained twice in 2021, with the Vacationers Championship two years in the past being his most up-to-date PGA Tour victory.

Brian Harman, a left-hander, completed in a tie for sixth on the 2022 Open Championship at St. Andrews. He additionally has two wins on tour.

Austrian Sepp Straka shot a 5-under 65 within the remaining spherical of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill to tie for seventh.

Chris Kirk not too long ago gained the Honda Traditional in an exhilarating playoff, defeating Eric Cole to win his first PGA Tour occasion since 2015. Kirk additionally tied for fifth on the 2022 PGA Championship.

Loads of Bulldogs proceed to thrive on tour, and if Georgia followers need to rally round an LPGA participant, Bailey Tardy is a simple selection.

Perhaps Tardy does one thing that English, Harman, Straka, and Kirk have but to do: win a serious championship.

She has her greatest probability but by means of 36 holes at Pebble Seashore.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You possibly can observe him on Twitter and Instagram @jack_milko for extra golf protection. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough too.