Although perhaps not as enjoyable as Lee’s rare under par round, round two was a successful one for a number of Australians in the field, with Hannah Green and Sarah Kemp recording rounds of 71 and 72 respectively to share 45th place at seven-over, while Gabi Ruffels made the cut on the number at eight-over with a nerveless up-and-down on her final hole.

Tournament debutants Steph Kyriacou (13-over) and amateur Keeley Marx (17-over) fell short of the mark to make the weekend, while Kiwi Amelia Garvey sits alongside Green and Kemp, with Lydia Ko another of the pre-tournament favourites to miss the cut.

The weekend will also be devoid of world No.1 Nelly Korda, despite improving by 10 shots from round one to two. Her absence provides some relief for the likes of Lee after the American’s dominant run in 2024.

Chasing a second US Women’s Open title, and third major overall, 28-year-old Lee exhibited all the necessary qualities at what is generally considered the toughest test on the LPGA calendar each year.

Starting at the 10th hole, Lee’s first birdie of the day came at the par-3 12th, where Korda had come undone a day prior. Lee made another at the next hole, before back-to-back bogeys saw her turn in even-par.

Lee was then clinical on the front nine, with the 2022 champion’s run of consecutive pars only interrupted by a birdie at the par-4 fifth.

“I just try to stay within myself and just stay as grounded as I can and just try and execute each shot to the 100 per cent of my ability and obviously how I want to put full commitment into it,” she said.

“In terms of being patient and things like that, I think it comes with the nature of being at a US Open. You have to, because it’s so hard out there. Just try to stay in the moment.”

Ruffels certainly showcased staying in the moment late in her second lap when finding herself outside the cutline for most of the round before stringing together a hat-trick of birdies starting at the third, her 12th hole of the day.

The Victorian went long on the ninth green – her final hole – but played a superb chip from deep rough to within two feet, tapping in to secure a tee-time for round three.

“I used a 60-degree. I knew I had to chop down on it and it was going to be fast and just let it run,” Ruffels said of her chip.

“I knew I had to make par and just wanted to give myself a putt at it really. I was really, really grateful that it went to like a foot.”