Michelle Wie on Thursday took advantage of mild early conditions to storm into the lead at the Women’s British Open with a course record eight-under-par 64 at Kingsbarns Golf Links.
The American overcame a shaky start after bogeying the par-five second, making gains on the fourth, sixth and eighth to turn in two-under, before scorching the back nine with six more birdies to better the 65 set by China’s Lin Xiyu in 2013.
The 27-year-old, who closed with three birdies in a row, leads South Korea’s Kim In-kyung by a shot going into day two, with fellow American Lindy Duncan a stroke further behind in third place.
“That start got me a bit annoyed for a while, but it was fun out there,” Honolulu-born Wie told reporters. “Any time you shoot a 64 on a course like Kingsbarns, you’ve got to be happy.”
“I’m really proud of myself for taking advantage of the conditions this morning,” added the injury-prone Wie, whose last victory came at the 2014 US Open.
South Korea’s Chella Choi, Britons Jodi Ewart Shadoff and Mel Reid, Dutchwoman Anne van Dam and Americans Marissa Steen and Lexi Thomson were tied in fourth place on the packed leaderboard at five-under.
Kim started strongly with five birdies in her first eight holes, but slowed after the turn, with three birdies offset by a single bogey as the rising wind began to have an impact.
“The wind was picking up on the back nine, but the scenery is so pretty it’s hard to focus on your game,” she said, after ending her round on 65 just before the first of two weather delays due to the threat of thunder and lightning.
Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung of the US finished tied for 35th on two-under 72, while Taiwan’s Yani Tseng and Hsu Wei-ling were in a group tied for 51st a stroke back.
Chien Pei-yun carded an even-par 72 to share 73rd, while Min Lee was in a group tied for 109th on two-over 74. Both were projected to miss the cut at one-under.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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