Australian golfers Minjee Lee and Katherine Kirk are two shots off the lead following the opening round of the US Open at Pinehurst in North Carolina.
LPGA No.1 Stacy Lewis leads the tournament at three-under-par with the American one shot clear of compatriot Michelle Wie, who is followed by 18-year-old amateur Lee, Kirk and Korean So Yeon Ryu on one-under.
Lee and Kirk’s compatriot Karrie Webb, who won a US Open at nearby Pine Needles in 2001, had a 70 to be even-par going into the second round.
Lewis, who was among the early starters on Thursday, was delighted with her round.
“It was such an easy day,” Lewis said, speaking of the stress-free round more than the golf course.
“I played really, really solid, other than I had to make a few par putts. But other than that, I didn’t put myself in too bad of spots and made a few birdies.”
Lucy Li, the 11-year-old who is the youngest qualifier in Women’s Open history, had a triple bogey and two double bogeys that ruined an otherwise solid round.
She shot 78 and was 11 shots behind, likely needing a round in the 60s to have any chance of making the cut.
Wie said there was some terrfic golf played on Thursday, making for a thrilling opening day at the major.
“I think we put on a great show,” Wie said.
“There are a couple of red numbers out there. There are a lot of people hovering around even par and I think it’s great. I love that we are playing on the same stage as the men. I think it’s really interesting. It makes it very exciting.”