University of Wisconsin golfer Emily Lauterbach, right, takes a rest on the knee of father/caddie Heath during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open Championship at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake.
Former University of Wisconsin golfer Bobbi Stricker gives a thumbs-up as she walks up the ninth fairway on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake. She had just birdied No. 8 and would play her final 11 holes in 5-under to earn a share of the lead.
University of Wisconsin golfer Emily Lauterbach, right, takes a rest on the knee of father/caddie Heath during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open Championship at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake.
GREEN LAKE — A wild turkey spent a hot, muggy Wednesday dancing through the edge of the pond in front of the 16th green on the Woodlands Course at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia. A mother deer and her fawn were spotted cooling themselves in a pond near the seventh fairway without a care in the world.
Former University of Wisconsin golfer Bobbi Stricker gives a thumbs-up as she walks up the ninth fairway on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake. She had just birdied No. 8 and would play her final 11 holes in 5-under to earn a share of the lead.
By day's end, the only creature seemingly immune to summer's sudden wet, sticky onslaught (and heat of competition)? The mighty badger — er, Badger.
Former University of Wisconsin golfer Bobbi Stricker rallied on the back nine with a 4-under-par 32 to shoot 2-under 70 and catch current Badger Emily Lauterbach for a share of the lead at the Wisconsin State Women's Open Championship. Lauterbach, who won this championship in 2020, shot a 4-under 68 to join Stricker at 2-under 142 — five strokes clear of former UW golfer Carly Werwie-Swartz of Kenosha, 33, the women's golf coach at Loyola (Ill.) University who shot 72 competing while 20 weeks pregnant.
Defending champion Mia Seeman of Milton, who shared the first-round lead with Stricker, birdied the 18th hole for a 77 that dropped her into sole possession of fourth place at 149. The 57-player field was cut to the low 24 golfers plus ties for Thursday's final round, which will begin at 7:30 a.m.
"I actually did know where I stood," said Stricker, who played one group behind Lauterbach in the final threesome of the day. "I saw she had birdied (No. 17) while I was out in the fairway. I was like 'I want to birdie this hole because I want to be one ahead of her.'Â No, I knew what she was doing.Â
"I love playing with her, too, It will be so much fun (Thursday)."
Wednesday proved to a bunch of fun for Stricker and Lauterbach — especially on the back nine, which they combined to play in 6-under without a bogey.
For Stricker, it was a stark contrast to her front nine where she three-putted the second green for the first of three consecutive bogeys at the start of her round. Things started to change at No. 8 where she made her first birdie and again at No. 9 where she made a scrambling par to turn in 2-over 38.
"I didn't make that putt (for par) on No. 4, which I was kind of bummed about, but I made a putt (for birdie) on No. 8, which kind of flipped my feeling," Stricker said. "Not so much my mentality because I stayed patient in those weird first few holes. I saw a ball go in the hole (on No. 8), which was just really nice. ... And then I got it up and down from the back of the green — I left it short and made like a 5-footer (for par) — on No. 9.
"After that, I felt like I was kind of rolling. I started hitting the ball a lot better on the back nine, also."
Lauterbach was rolling from the get-go Wednesday.
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2022 Wis. Women's State Open Mia Seeman
Mia Seeman tees off on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Caylie Kotlowski tees off No. 2Â of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz tees off No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Hartland's Emily Lauterbach tees off No. 2Â of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Hartland's Emily Lauterbach watches her tee shot on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker hits a tee shot on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Rob and Mia Seeman watch Mia's tee shot on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker tees off on No. 4 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Isabella Dory tees off No. 4 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mia Seeman tees off No. 4 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mia Seeman tees off No. 3 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Isabella and Todd Dory watch Isabella's drive on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker wheels her cart to the second tee of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Former University of Wisconsin golfer Bobbi Stricker gives a thumbs-up as she walks up the ninth fairway on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake. She had just birdied No. 8 and would play her final 11 holes in 5-under to earn a share of the lead.
2022 Wis. Women's State Open Mia Seeman, Rob Seeman
Mia and Rob Seeman size up a putt on the sixth hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz sets up to drive on the ninth hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Emily Lauterbach watches her approach shot on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Taitum Beck of Waterford is all smiles walking off the ninth tee of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
2022 Wis. Women's State Open Britt McNett-Emmerich
Britt McNett-Emmerich tees off No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Taitum Beck tees off No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mark and Taitum Beck confer on club selection on No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mackenzie Hahn tees off No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Emily Lauterbach tees off No. 8 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz of Kenosha tees off No. 8 the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker tees off No. 7 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Isabella Dory watches her tee shot on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mallory Swartz tees off No. 16 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
2022 Wis. Women's State Open Ryan & Aliisa Helminen
Ryan and Aliisa Helminen watch the action from the 16th tee of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Grace Suter watches her tee shot on the 16th hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Grace Suter tees off on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Ava Salay reacts to her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Ava Salay watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Sydney Brandt of Brookfield watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Kylie Walker of Kenosha watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carolyn Barnett-Howe of Appleton watches her tee shot on the 16th hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Cassie Psuik of Greenfield tees off on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Jay and Abby Cavaini walk off the 16th green of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Rachel Montaba tees off on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Aliisa Helminen hits her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Aliisa Helminen watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz hits to the 17th green of of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
A mother deer and her fawn take a dip on the pond next to the seventh fairway of of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Vince Suter, top, douses daughter Grace with a bottle of cold water after the younger Suter felt dizzy in the heat on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
University of Wisconsin golfer Emily Lauterbach, right, takes a rest on the knee of father/caddie Heath during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open Championship at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake.
Caylie Kotlowski watches her tee shot on No. 17 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz tees off on No. 18 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Photos: Day 2 action at the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open Championship
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2022 Wis. Women's State Open Mia Seeman
Mia Seeman tees off on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Caylie Kotlowski tees off No. 2Â of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz tees off No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Hartland's Emily Lauterbach tees off No. 2Â of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Hartland's Emily Lauterbach watches her tee shot on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker hits a tee shot on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Rob and Mia Seeman watch Mia's tee shot on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker tees off on No. 4 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Isabella Dory tees off No. 4 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mia Seeman tees off No. 4 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mia Seeman tees off No. 3 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Isabella and Todd Dory watch Isabella's drive on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker wheels her cart to the second tee of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Former University of Wisconsin golfer Bobbi Stricker gives a thumbs-up as she walks up the ninth fairway on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake. She had just birdied No. 8 and would play her final 11 holes in 5-under to earn a share of the lead.
2022 Wis. Women's State Open Mia Seeman, Rob Seeman
Mia and Rob Seeman size up a putt on the sixth hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz sets up to drive on the ninth hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Emily Lauterbach watches her approach shot on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Taitum Beck of Waterford is all smiles walking off the ninth tee of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
2022 Wis. Women's State Open Britt McNett-Emmerich
Britt McNett-Emmerich tees off No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Taitum Beck tees off No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mark and Taitum Beck confer on club selection on No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mackenzie Hahn tees off No. 9 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Emily Lauterbach tees off No. 8 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz of Kenosha tees off No. 8 the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Bobbi Stricker tees off No. 7 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Isabella Dory watches her tee shot on No. 2 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Mallory Swartz tees off No. 16 on the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
2022 Wis. Women's State Open Ryan & Aliisa Helminen
Ryan and Aliisa Helminen watch the action from the 16th tee of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Grace Suter watches her tee shot on the 16th hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Grace Suter tees off on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Ava Salay reacts to her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Ava Salay watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Sydney Brandt of Brookfield watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Kylie Walker of Kenosha watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carolyn Barnett-Howe of Appleton watches her tee shot on the 16th hole of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Cassie Psuik of Greenfield tees off on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Jay and Abby Cavaini walk off the 16th green of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Rachel Montaba tees off on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Aliisa Helminen hits her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Aliisa Helminen watches her tee shot on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
2022 Wis. Women's State Open Carly Werwie-Swartz
Carly Werwie-Swartz hits to the 17th green of of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
A mother deer and her fawn take a dip on the pond next to the seventh fairway of of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Vince Suter, top, douses daughter Grace with a bottle of cold water after the younger Suter felt dizzy in the heat on No. 16 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
University of Wisconsin golfer Emily Lauterbach, right, takes a rest on the knee of father/caddie Heath during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open Championship at the Golf Courses of Lawsonia in Green Lake.
Caylie Kotlowski watches her tee shot on No. 17 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
Carly Werwie-Swartz tees off on No. 18 of the Woodlands Course at the GCs of Lawsonia in Green Lake during the second round of the 2022 Wisconsin State Women's Open.
After making a double-bogey 7 on the first hole in Tuesday's opening round, she birdied it Wednesday and joked as she walked off the green that she was already three strokes ahead of pace from her first-round 74. Lauterbach made four straight pars before going birdie-bogey-birdie and turning in 2-under.
"I actually didn't miss any greens," said Lauterbach, whose lone bogey at No. 7 was the result of a three-putt from 20 feet. "I made some good putts for birdie. I missed a lot of (other) putts for birdie. ... Overall, it was pretty solid.
"I had, I think, four intense lip-outs, which is never fun especially when you're like 'Oh, that's in' and then it goes all the way around and you're like 'Oh, never mind.'"
That Lauterbach's emotions didn't hinge on the outcome of every putt speaks to the progress she's made in handling them in three years at UW.
"I had a good summer last year, I believe; I averaged 70.5 and that was pretty solid for me," Lauterbach said. "I'm striking it and hitting it way better than I ever have. Irons feel really good. The driver is straight and a lot further than I've ever hit it as well. Even my irons, I'm three full clubs (longer) right now than I was this January. This January, which is this year. ... I'm not really sure how, but I'm not mad about it at all. There are some holes out here where I'm hitting a 5-iron off the tee and a wedge in."
Hers is a different game from most in the field, but Werwie-Swartz still found a way to keep pace for much of the day.
Due with her first child in October, the Ramblers coach played in the next-to-last group with Lauterbach and served notice that she can still play on the very first hole — baby or no baby. Werwie-Swartz spun a wedge back about 3 feet below the hole and made the birdie putt to pull within two shots of the lead.
She was still two back after a birdie at No. 7 and a bogey at No. 9 left her with a 1-under 35 on the front. She added a birdie at No. 10 and five pars after that before making back-to-back bogeys at Nos. 16 and 17 to fall five shots off the pace set by Stricker and Lauterbach.
The future mom in Werwie-Swartz will probably accept sole possession of third place entering the final round of a championship in which she is quickly becoming one of its oldest participants. The competitor in her, however, has much loftier goals heading into the final round.
"Spot on," Werwie-Swartz said, when offered that assessment of her approach to the week. "Coming into the week, I was like 'I'm feeling OK; I can go and play.' But the competitor in me, yes, is fighting for the top spot still. I don't think that will ever leave me, but we'll see."
Rob started covering the state's golf scene in 1987 at the Wisconsin State Journal in Madison. He joined Killarney Golf Media in 2015 and helped develop Wisconsin.Golf's extensive coverage of junior, high school, college, amateur and pro golf.