Storms halt women’s Open

Associated Press

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.

For months now, the battered country of Japan has been looking for a lift.

By using her blossoming golf game as a tool for charity, 21-year-old Mika Miyazato could turn the U.S. Women’s Open into the feel-good story her country seeks — and back it with some cold, hard cash.

Miyazato shot 67 to grab the lead at 5-under-par 137 at the halfway point at the Broadmoor on Saturday, where rain once again stopped play early and brought up the prospect of a grueling, 36-hole final day.

She had a one-shot lead over Ai Miyazato — who is not related but is from the same city, Okinawa. When the Miyazatos return to the course, they will play in the final group together, each wearing red and white pins they created to raise awareness for the thousands of victims in a country ravaged by an earthquake, tsunami and the resulting nuclear catastrophe.

The pins have Japanese characters that translate to “Never Give Up Japan.”

For Mika, it goes beyond mere symbols, though. She is donating all her winnings from the 2011 majors to the Red Cross for the recovery cause in her home country. That has already totaled more than $100,000 thanks to top-10 finishes at the first two majors. First place at the U.S. Open is worth around $600,000.

“Winning majors is what I strive for,” she said.

“And to donate all of my earnings from the majors, I hope to give positive things to the people who are around the disaster area.”

What a way to make a name for herself — even though Mika has spent most of her young career being confused with Ai Miyazato. Ai has six LPGA Tour victories to none for Mika and she has spent a longer time on the radar as the best hope to become the next golf superstar in a country that loves the game.

In an attempt to bring a Sunday conclusion to a tournament that has fallen behind after three straight afternoons of rain, the USGA will send threesomes off from the 1 and 10 tees today and will not re-pair the groups after the third round.