Lewis leads at Pinehurst
Stacy Lewis took the first round lead at the US Women’s Open after shooting a three-under-par 67 at Pinehurst.
Lewis carded four birdies in her and is one stroke clear of American Michelle Wie who managed five birdies, but also two bogeys as she made her way around the course.
While the top ranked players battled it out, the focus shifted to 11-year-old Lucy Li who shot an eight-over 78 on Thursday.
Li became the youngest qualifier to compete at the US Women’s Open after beating the record of Lexi Thompson, who qualified for the 2007 tournament aged 12.
The youngster started well with birdies as she bagged birdies on the first and fifth holes, but her round would also feature three bogeys, two double bogeys and triple bogey which left her 11 shots behind the leader.
“I kind of struggled, but it was great,” Li said in a post match interview.
“It’s not bad, but I was seven over in three holes, so that’s one over in 15 holes. So I just need to get rid of the big numbers.”
Meanwhile Minjee Lee, Ryu So-yeon and Katherine Kirk are two shots off the pace.
Australian amateur Lee found an eagle on the par-five fifth while her compatriot Kirk mixed three birdies with two bogeys.
Northern Ireland-born 22-year-old Stephanie Meadow is locked in a five-way share of sixth place after shooting an even-par round of 70 that featured three birdies and three bogeys.
Paula Creamer, Karrie Webb, Candie Kung and Mina Harigae are three shots behind tournament leader Lewis.
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