Sat, Jul 11, 2015 page20

• Karrie Webb shares early lead at US Women’s Open

  • Reuters, LANCASTER, Pennsylvania
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  Hall of Famer Karrie Webb enjoyed a second-nine birdie spree that carried her to a four-under 66 and a share of the early first-round lead at a weather-interrupted US Women’s Open on Thursday.

  The 40-year-old Australian, a seven-time major winner, started at the 10th and after a steady tour of Lancaster Country Club’s difficult back nine posted birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and eighth holes on the way home.

  “I feel like I’ve had some good golf in me,” said Webb, who has three top 10 finishes in recent months, including a share of seventh place last month at the Women’s PGA Championship.

  

  Michelle Wie of the US putts on the second green in the first round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Thursday.

  Photo: AFP

  Tied at 66 was little-known Marina Alex of the US, who also took advantage of rain-softened conditions on the long, hilly layout with three birdies on the front nine.

  Late in the afternoon wave of players, a tornado watch in the area gave way to a halt of play as the skies darkened, thunder boomed and heavy rain fell on Lancaster Country Club in the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish area.

  After a two-hour wait, play was called off with more than 50 players yet to finish the first round.

  One stroke back was South Korea’s Amy Yang after a 67, with 2012 winner Choi Na-yeon of South Korea also at three-under, through 15 holes, along with Jane Park of the US, through 13.

  “I drove the ball really well today,” Yang said. “Staying in the fairway is key on this course.”

  They were followed by six players in the clubhouse at 68.

  Morgan Pressel, who had reached four-under by her 14th hole of the day before slipping back, was among those at 68 along with fellow Americans Austin Ernst, Sydnee Michaels and Liz Nagel, and South Koreans Chun In-gee and Lee Mi-hyang.

  Amateurs Regina Plasencia of Mexico and Megan Khang of the US also reached four-under before falling back.

  Khang, 17, birdied four of five holes from the third before following with five bogeys to card a 71.

  Plasencia, 21, also had four front-nine birdies before a double-bogey at the par-three eighth hole began a slide that took her to even-par through 12 holes.

  World No. 1 Inbee Park of South Korea stood at two-under through 14 holes when the weather delay struck, along with 16-year-old Chinese amateur He Mu-ni, who had completed 11 holes.

  Another shot back was a large group at one-under 69 that included Taiwan’s Teresa Lu and Min Lee, Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung and world No. 3 Stacy Lewis, who was one shot better than world No. 2 Lydia Ko of New Zealand.

  Hsu Wei-ling was one-over after 12 holes, former world No. 1 Yani Tseng was three-over after 17 and fellow Taiwanese Babe Liu was on seven-over after carding a 77.

  Webb, whose last major triumph came nine years ago at the Kraft Nabisco, played a remarkably solid round.

  The winner of 41 career LPGA Tour titles hit every fairway and 17 of 18 greens in her impressive round.

  Webb, who won the first of her back-to-back US Open crowns 15 years ago, said she is still driven by competition.

  “Playing rounds like this is what motivates me,” she said.

  Webb praised the setup of the course.

  “I used every club in my bag except the six iron,” the Australian said. “When they set up a course like that to use every club, it’s a good setup.”

  Some notable players struggled.

  Cristie Kerr, the 2007 winner, was six-over after 15 holes, while two-time major winner Suzann Pettersen of Norway shot a 79.

  Additional reporting by staff writer
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