US Open First Round Leaderboard
-2 Y. Saso (Japanese) -1 A Lee (USA), W Meechai (Thailand), A Cernousek (France) level A Talley (USA), Y Yoshida (Japan), J Shin (Korea), Minjee Lee (Australia), C Park (USA), P Babnik (Slovakia), A Foersterling (Germany), Sei-Young Kim (Korea), M Schofill (USA), C Iwai (Japan)
Other options: +2 J Ewart +3 L. Maguire (Ireland) +5 C. Hull (English) +7 G Hall (Eng), G Dryburgh (Sco), L Ward (Eng)
World No. 1 Nelly Korda had a finish to forget in the opening round of the U.S. Women’s Open, shooting a 10-over 80 that included a seven-bogey 10 on the par-3 12th hole.
The 25-year-old American had won six of the last seven tournaments and came into the day at Lancaster Country Club in Philadelphia as the overwhelming favorite to win his first U.S. Open title.
Yuka Sasao, 22, of Japan, shot a two-under 68 to take the lead by one stroke and was one of just four players to finish above par on the first day.
French amateur Adela Chernoucek, American Andrea Li and Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai all shot one-under 69s.
Korda started well on the back nine, but after a bogey on the 10th hole and then hitting water three times on the 161-yard 12th hole, his challenge was thwarted within the first three holes.
Her tee shot flew over the green and into a bunker, then her recovery shot rolled into the creek in front of the green.
She fell into the water two more times after the penalty drop, but eventually chipped and two-putted onto the green to gain 10 strokes.
“I didn’t want to shoot 80, so I just kept bogeying,” Korda said. “I’m human, and I have bad days. I’ve been playing really consistent golf up until this point. Today I just had a bad day, that’s all.”
Korda, who won the first major of the year at the Chevron Championship, is near the bottom of the rankings, 12 strokes behind the leaderboard.
However, only 14 players shot par or better that day, and Korda’s form this season has been excellent, so he could still have a shot at qualifying this weekend and moving up the rankings.
England’s Jodie Ewart Shadoff finished two over par and Ireland’s Leona Maguire was one stroke behind at 73, but their higher scores mean both players are sure to be in the running for the win.
Europe’s Solheim Cup star Lynn Grant of Sweden is also at two over par, as are former Women’s British Open champion Sofia Popov of Germany, Carlota Ciganda of Spain and Celine Boutier of France.
Charlie Hull of England is at five over par, while Gemma Dryburgh of Scotland, Georgia Hall of England and English amateur Lottie Ward, winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur, are all at seven over par.
