Pebble Seaside is internet hosting the U.S. Ladies’s Open for the primary time, and Bailey Tardy is the newest Georgia Bulldog to contend at a significant championship.

Tardy, who has by no means made the reduce at a U.S. Ladies’s Open earlier than, fired a 4-under 68 on Friday to vault up the leaderboard at Pebble Seaside.

As of this writing, she holds a share of the lead at 7-under for the championship.

Tardy is considerably of a journeywoman, making her straightforward to root for.

The previous Bulldog is at present the 455th-ranked participant on this planet and has but to complete higher than twenty third on the LPGA Tour this season.

Picture by Ezra Shaw/Getty Pictures

But, she appears like a seasoned professional. Hardy dominated the well-known par-5 sixth gap at Pebble Seaside, making an eagle there on each Thursday and Friday to place her in competition.

Now she hopes to grow to be the primary Georgia Bulldog to win a significant since Bubba Watson gained the 2014 Masters Match.

Different Bulldogs have contended at majors since then and have grow to be stalwarts on the PGA Tour.

Harris English not too long ago tied for eighth on the 2023 U.S. Open on the Los Angeles Nation Membership. He gained twice in 2021, with the Vacationers Championship two years in the past being his most up-to-date PGA Tour victory.

Brian Harman, a left-hander, completed in a tie for sixth on the 2022 Open Championship at St. Andrews. He additionally has two wins on tour.

Austrian Sepp Straka shot a 5-under 65 within the ultimate spherical of the 2023 PGA Championship at Oak Hill to tie for seventh.

Chris Kirk not too long ago gained the Honda Traditional in an exhilarating playoff, defeating Eric Cole to win his first PGA Tour occasion since 2015. Kirk additionally tied for fifth on the 2022 PGA Championship.

Loads of Bulldogs proceed to thrive on tour, and if Georgia followers wish to rally round an LPGA participant, Bailey Tardy is a simple alternative.

Perhaps Tardy does one thing that English, Harman, Straka, and Kirk have but to do: win a significant championship.

She has her finest likelihood but by 36 holes at Pebble Seaside.

Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. You may observe him on Twitter and Instagram @jack_milko for extra golf protection. You should definitely try @_PlayingThrough too.