Karrie Webb grabs a share of the lead at storm-hit US Women's Open
FROM SKYSPORTS.COM
Karrie Webb produced a string of birdies on the back nine to grab a share of the first round lead at a storm-hit US Women's Open on Thursday.
Seven-time major champion Webb rolled back the years with a
near-flawless opening round, starting with 10 straight pars before
notching four birdies down the stretch to finish with a four-under-par
66 at Pennsylvania's Lancaster Country Club.Karrie Webb produced a string of birdies on the back nine to grab a share of the first round lead at a storm-hit US Women's Open on Thursday.
"I still have my challenges at a US Open," Webb said.
"You always want to do well at this event. And for me it's about controlling my emotions and not getting too high or too low, especially in the first couple of rounds.
"I did a really good job of that today. I played very well, I didn't miss a fairway.
"When you play like that, it's not easy but it's less stressful than I could have made it."
Webb finished her round several hours before klaxons sounded across the course shortly after 6pm local time as an electrical storm churned towards the region.
Play was later halted for the day with several players left out on the course. They included Catriona Matthew.
Joining Webb at the top of the leaderboard was 24-year-old Marina Alex, who drained three birdies on her final five holes to also finish on four-under.
South Korea's Amy Yang was a shot back with a three-under-par 67. The first round leaderboard could easily look different on Friday however with Choi Nay-Yeon on three under after 15 holes and Jane Park of the United States three under after 13.
Alex has endured a rollercoaster season on the LPGA circuit this year, at one stage missing five consecutive cuts before posting her first top 10 finish of the season a fortnight ago.
The New Jersey native revealed she was starting to reap benefits from technical tweaks she had implemented in recent months.
"Now that I've put some of these changes into play a little more often, I just feel more comfortable and I'm making freer swings and the results are showing from that," Alex said.
New Zealand prodigy Lydia Ko remains firmly in the hunt, four shots off the lead after an even par 70, grouped with seven other players including English veteran Laura Davies.
However it was a disappointing start for defending Open champion Michelle Wie, who shot a two-over-par 72 after struggling to get to grips with the demanding 6,353-yard layout, carding four bogeys and two birdies.
Kylie Walker had a 78 and Heather MacRae an 80 in the first round
FIRST ROUND SCORES
*Several players have still to complete their first round
Labels: Pro Ladies
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