US Women's Open: Stephanie Meadow sharing 10th at Pinehurst

Stephanie Meadow is making her professional debut this week

Northern Ireland woman Stephanie Meadow is sharing 10th place seven shots behind leader Michelle Wie at the halfway stage of the US Women's Open.

Playing in her first professional tournament, Meadow added a two-over 72 to her opening 71 at Pinehurst.

The 22-year-old carded four bogeys and two birdies in another steady round at the tricky Pinehurst course where last week's men's US Open also took place.

Wie fired a second straight 68 to lead Lexi Thompson by three shots.

Those sharing 10th place with Meadow include twice US Open champion Australia's Karrie Webb.

Wie and Thompson are the only players under par with first-round leader and world number one Stacy Lewis having dropped back to level par after a 73 on Friday.

Meadow is making her professional bow this week after completing her amateur career by representing Great Britain & Ireland in the recent Curtis Cup event in the US.

The Northern Irishwoman had to complete her opening round on Friday morning and a bogey at the 17th meant that she signed for a 71.

Meadow moved to the United States when she was 14 and played as an amateur during her four-year scholarship at the University of Alabama.

She represented Royal Portrush when winning the the British Amateur title at Carnoustie in 2012.

Meadow competed in her first US Open a week later but failed to make the cut at the Blackwolf Run course in Wisconsin.

Fellow Northern Ireland player Rory McIlroy gave Meadow advice on how to play Pinehurst after he competed in the men's US Open on the course last week.