Lottie Woad seeks LPGA form at US Open

He flew to the West Coast of the United States early to fully acclimate for this week’s major, confident of his Ohio victory.

And the key to that victory on May 17 was produced by the player himself. Earlier that month, Mizuho was marred by an uncharacteristically erratic performance on the greens when he missed the cut at the US Open.

“My putting was pretty bad and I’m putting pretty good this year,” Wade said. “Well, it could be me, it’s probably me, but, I thought I’d test the potter.

“The grip was a little off, but obviously as golfers, we’re pretty specific. So it was giving me a little trouble. I regripped it and then, yeah, it’s all good.”

Wade defeated a quality field, holding off South Korea’s Hyeran Ryu to win by two shots, with major winners Miu Yamashita and Ruoning Yeon trailing in front of him.

In-form Nelly Korda and former world number one Lydia Ko shared eighth place.

“I think it’s more important than the first win for me,” Wade said. “The first one (in Scotland last July) was obviously amazing, but it happened so quickly.

“I turned pro right before that and then went off and played a lot of events. I haven’t really had time to reflect on it.

“I don’t know how many events I’ve played now, but a lot more events, playing every week, traveling every week. Watching the competition, seeing how good everyone is.

“I think it was more important for me to win again, to get second.”