Prodigy Thompson in title battle at U.S. Women's Open

By Larry Fine

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - Golf prodigy Alexis Thompson on Friday served notice she might be coming of age as the 14-year-old American amateur shot a second-round 73 to join the title chase at the U.S. Women's Open.

Thompson, who shot level-par 71 in the opening round, was on the leaderboard at two over par after the morning wave at Saucon Valley's Old Course, where sub-par rounds were at a premium.

The youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Open at age 12 in 2007, Thompson would become youngest to win an LPGA major title by more than four years if she were to triumph.

After finishing tied for 21st at this year's first major, the Kraft Nabisco, Thompson would not dismiss her chances.

"Yeah," she told reporters when asked if she thought she had as good a chance as anyone to win.

"If I have two good days coming in, for sure. Even or under. If I'm just even for the next two days would be good, and if I shoot under, that would be really good."

The 5-foot-9 Floridian with a fluid, power swing, was having no trouble dealing with the 6,740-yard layout.

"I like the longer golf courses," she said.

Thompson, who won last year's U.S. Girls' Junior Golf Championship, is from a golfing family -- her brothers Nicholas and Curtis played on the 2005 U.S. Walker Cup team and qualified for the 2007 U.S. Junior Amateur, respectively.

After missing the Open cut in her first two appearances, Thompson said she came here aiming higher than qualifying for weekend play.

"I wasn't just looking to make the cut," she said. "I know I can contend if my game's on out here."

The youngest to win an LPGA major was American Morgan Pressel at 18 years, 10 months at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco.

Michelle Wie was also 14, but younger by some four months, when she went on to finish 13th at the 2004 championship.

"I think it's pretty phenomenal, to be 14 and in the top 10 of a major championship," said Australian Lindsey Wright, who was tied with Thompson at two-over after firing a one-under-par 70. "It's pretty awesome."

Choi Na-yeon of South Korea, the 21-year-old first-round leader, slipped to level-par 142 after a 74.