PINEHURST: 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 number one Lewis has a one-shot lead over Michelle Wie, who is 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.
“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 towards 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 over 1,000 yards shorter than 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.
Play was stopped Thursday with 30 players still on the course.
Lucy Li, 11, who is the youngest qualifier in Women’s Open history, finished with a 78. The 5-foot-2 dynamo finished her round with 10 pars, two birdies, three bogeys, two double bogeys and a triple bogey. AFP
