Stephanie Meadow misses US Women's Open cut

NI's Stephanie Meadow finished third on her professional debut at last year's US Women's Open

Northern Ireland's Stephanie Meadow has made an early exit from the US Women's Open after rounds of 79 and 74 left her well short of the cut mark.

Meadow, who finished third on her professional debut in last year's event, was nine over after 17 holes on a weather-affected opening day.

She completed her round on Friday and then posted an improved second round.

The 23-year-old had two birdies and three bogeys, but a triple bogey eight at the seventh proved a major setback.

Amy Yang was the halfway leader on 133, seven under par, in the tournament at Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

The South Korean fired a second-round 66 to go three clear of American Stacy Lewis and Japan's Shiho Oyama.

Meadow has endured a difficult 2015 following the death of her father Robert from cancer.

The Jordanstown woman did not play for five weeks after her father was diagnosed with advanced pancreatic cancer.

After his death in May, she resumed tournament play and was back in major championship action at the Women's PGA Championship four weeks ago where she missed the cut.

After carding three initial pars on Thursday, Meadow endured a run of nine bogeys in 11 holes as her lack of tournament action this season betrayed her.

Despite her outstanding US Open performance at Pinehurst a year ago, Meadow missed out on a full tour card for 2015 after a play-off defeat at the qualifying school.

That has meant reduced LPGA opportunities this year and Meadow has travelled to several events as a reserve only to be denied a place in the field.