American Stacy Lewis fired a bogey-free three-under 67 on Thursday to grab the clubhouse lead in the first round of the US Women’s Open Championship, which was suspended because of severe weather.
World No. 1 Lewis has a one-shot lead over Michelle Wie, who was alone in second at two-under 68 at the Pinehurst golf course.
Lewis, the defending Women’s British Open champion, has already posted two wins this season at the North Texas LPGA Shootout and ShopRite Classic.
Photo: AFP
“Once you get one under your belt, it’s contagious, you just want to win more and more,” Lewis said about winning majors. “I just have geared my game toward majors. I love it when it’s hard. I love it when you have to grind. I love it when you have to make eight and 10-footers for par. It suits me and my game.”
The course is more than 914m shorter then it was when the men’s US Open was held here last week.
Ryu So-yeon, the 2011 US Women’s Open champ, Katherine Kirk and amateur Lee Min-jee are the only other players under par at one-under 69.
Photo: AFP
Play was stopped on Thursday with 30 players still on the course.
Eleven-year-old Lucy Li, who is the youngest qualifier in Women’s Open history, finished with a 78. The 1.57m dynamo finished her round with 10 pars, two birdies, three bogeys, two double bogeys and a triple bogey.
“Getting to play in the US Open was a lot of fun. I kind of struggled today, but it was great,” Li said. “I’m happy with how I played. I just need to get rid of the big numbers.”
Photo: AFP
Lewis missed just one green and one fairway in her first round.
“I am very happy,” she said. “It was such an easy day. I played really, really solid. I didn’t put myself in too bad of spots and made a few birdies, which was nice.”
Former US Women’s Open winners Karrie Webb and Paula Creamer shot matching even-par 70s to share sixth place.
Mina Harigae, Stephanie Meadow and Taiwan’s Candie Kung are also at even par, but were still to complete their first rounds when play resumed early yesterday morning. Kung has finished 17 holes, while Harigae and Meadow are both through 16 holes.
Taiwan’s Lin Tzu-chi was also to finish her first round.
Teresa Lu carded a five-over 75, Yani Tseng a seven-over 77 and Hsu Wei-ling an 11-over 81.
US Women’s Open champions Juli Inkster, Choi Na-yeon and Ji Eun-hee, and Lexi Thompson are among a group of 11 players tied for 11th place at one-over 71.
Defending champion Inbee Park stumbled to a six-over 76 during her opening round and is tied for 77th place. Park’s 76 tied her worst round of the season.
Two-time winner this year Jessica Korda shot a nine-over 79.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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