Golf-Sergas in "the zone" after firing lowest score at U.S. Open

By Larry Fine

BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania, July 10 (Reuters) - Giulia Sergas of Italy was the least surprised person at Saucon Valley's Old Course by her tournament-low round of four-under 67 on Friday that put her into a tie for fourth at the U.S. Women's Open.

The 29-year-old Sergas of Trieste was so sharp enough to post the second-round score despite a bogey at the last, where she left her par putt just shy of the hole.

"The reason is ... probably because I've been playing golf for 21 years and I know I can do it," she told reporters after finishing on level-par 142, three strokes behind leader Cristie Kerr.

Sergas putted like a dream on Saturday and when pressed could not recount the length of any of her longer putts, content to let the good golf flow on the Old Course.

"It was definitely one of those moments that the athlete experiences, called the zone," said Sergas, whose best finish on the LPGA Tour this season was a tie for 22nd.

"So I experienced it today. It was a great experience."

Sergas said the U.S. Open seemed to bring out the best in her. Her final round 70 brought her a share of sixth place at the 2008 championship.

"The last U.S. Open, the last round," she said, when asked the last time she felt "in the zone".