Consistency was key for Payton Haugen during the second round of the 2026 Wisconsin Women’s Open at SentryWorld in Stevens Point, as the Elm Brook golfer fired a 1-under 71 on June 16 to take the solo lead of the tournament at 1-under.
Haugen made four birdies against three bogeys to back up an even par 72 in the first round, giving her a one shot advantage over professional Bobbi Stricker heading into the final round on June 17.
Stricker also shot a 1-under 71 in her second round thanks to an eagle on the 480-yard, par 5 14th hole.
Stricker is hoping to turn her luck around in the state open. She is a three-time runner-up in the event. Stricker won the 2021 Wisconsin Women’s Amateur.
First round leader Hannah Dunk backed up with a 3-over 75 in her second round, dropping her to 2-over for the tournament and tied for third with UW-Stout player Julia Imai. Imai shot a 1-over 73. A double bogey on the par 4 eighth hole set Imai back on the day.
Reedsburg’s Pimpunvadee Booncharn had the best round of the day with a 2-under 70, which shot her up the leaderboard into fifth place at 3-over par.
That group of five players is likely all that are in the mix to win the 30th playing of the women’s state open. Norah Roberts is in sixth place, seven shots off the pace at 6-over for the tournament. There is a group of five players tied for seventh at 7-over.
The final round of the tournament will feature the final 24 players who made the cut, which was at 12-over par.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Payton Haugen, Bobbi Stricker headed for a duel for Women’s Open title
Reporting by Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Jim Owczarski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
