BETHLEHEM, Pa. - She’s 14, playing in her third US Women’s Open, and fully expecting to contend. There might be comparisons with Michelle Wie, but Alexis Thompson doesn’t pay any attention.
“I haven’t looked at that,’’ Thompson said. “I know she was really good when she was young, too. I’m just going to try to keep on going the way I’m going.’’
Where she’s going is near the lead at the US Women’s Open, after a 73 yesterday left her 2 over par through two rounds and tied for eighth, five shots behind leader Cristie Kerr. Thompson made a late double bogey at last year’s Women’s Open and missed the cut by two. She made a double on No. 6, her 15th hole, but responded with a birdie on No. 7. Halfway through, she’s the lowest of the 28 amateurs.
For the record, Wie tied for 13th at the 2004 Women’s Open, when she was 14. Thompson’s expectations here might be a little higher.
“I wasn’t just looking to make the cut,’’ she said. “I know I can contend if my game’s on out here.’’
Local knockouts
Calling it “my worst round in five years, no joke,’’
Alison Walshe was trying to quickly forget about the 84 she signed for. The 23-year-old pro from Westford, Mass., had a two-round total of 21-over 163, missing the cut. It came a year after she tied for 31st in her Women’s Open debut. “It can only get better, that’s the only positive,’’ said Walshe, who is looking forward to two straight Duramed Futures Tour events in New England, starting next week in Bloomfield, Conn.
Shrewsbury, Mass., amateur Brittany Altomare couldn’t follow up her impressive first round, getting off to a poor start and shooting an 81 to miss the cut by five strokes. Starting on No. 10, Altomare bogeyed four of her first five holes and double bogeyed the other, putting herself in a quick hole. She did birdie the par-5 first. Up next for Altomare: the Women’s North and South Amateur next week at Pinehurst, N.C.
Briana Vega of Andover, Mass., also missed the cut after shooting a second-round 79 for a 36-hole total of 160. “It was better, I just didn’t score very well,’’ said Vega, who will also return to the Futures Tour next week in Connecticut.
Solheim update
Counting this one, only three tournaments remain before the US Solheim Cup team gets picked. The top 10 on the points list automatically qualify, and
Beth Daniel will then have two captain’s picks. Of those hovering around the 10th spot,
Christina Kim (seventh),
Morgan Pressel (eighth),
Brittany Lincicome (10th),
Stacy Prammanasudh (12th), and
Juli Inkster (14th) all made the cut.
Laura Diaz (11th) and
Pat Hurst (13th) will not play on the weekend.
Natalie Gulbis (ninth) failed to qualify for the Women’s Open.
Jones had inspiration
Inspired by 48-year-old
Kenny Perry’s performance at the Masters this year, 49-year-old
Rosie Jones came out of retirement, advanced through sectional qualifying, and played in an LPGA Tour event for only the second time since ending her competitive career at the 2006 Women’s Open. Jones, showing some rust, but enjoying her return, shot 76-78 to miss the cut by three strokes . . . Of the 28 amateurs, seven made the cut . . . There are 21 countries represented.
Janice Olivencia, who missed the cut, is the first Puerto Rican to play, according to the Puerto Rico Golf Association . . .
Helen Alfredsson, led the field in the first round by hitting 13 fairways but shot 81, withdrew before the second round. Others withdrawing yesterday:
Pat Hurst,
Jin Joo Hong,
Minea Blomqvist, and
Jee Young Lee. Blomqvist and Lee, who both withdrew early in the second round, were in the same group, leaving
Meaghan Francella to play by herself over the final 12 holes.
Michael Whitmer can be reached at mwhitmer@globe.com 
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