US Open first round leaderboard
-two Y Saso (Jpn); -1 A Lee (USA), W Meechai (Tha), A Cernousek (Fra); Level A Talley (USA), Y Yoshida (Jpn), J Shin (Kor), Minjee Lee (Aus), C Park (USA), P Babnik (Slo), A Foersterling (Ger), Sei-Young Kim (Kor), M Schofill (USA), C Iwai (Jpn)
Others selected: +2 J Ewart (Eng.); +3 L Maguire (Ire); +5 Casco C (Eng.); +7 G Hall (Eng), G Dryburgh (Sco), L Woad (Eng)
World number one Nelly Korda had an unforgettable opening round at the US Women’s Open, shooting a 10-over-par 80 – including a sevenfold-bogey 10 on the par-three 12th hole.
The 25-year-old American began the day at Lancaster Country Club in Philadelphia as the heavy favorite to win her first US Open, having won six of the last seven tournaments.
Japan’s Yuka Saso, 22, leads by one stroke after shooting a two-under 68 – one of four players with best par on the first day.
French amateur Adela Cernousek, American Andrea Lee and Thai Wichanee Meechai all shot one-under 69.
Korda started on the back nine and her challenge was hampered by her first three holes as she made bogey on the 10th before finding water three times on the 161-yard 12th.
His tee shot flew over the green into a bunker and his recovery rolled into the creek in front of the green.
She found water twice more after the penalty fell before finally managing to hit the green with her chip and two putts for a 10.
“I really didn’t want to shoot 80 and I kept making bogeys,” Korda said. “I’m human. I’m going to have bad days. I’ve played really good golf so far. Today was just a bad day. That’s all I can say.”
Korda, who won this year’s first major at the Chevron Championship, is near the bottom of the leaderboard, 12 shots off the lead.
However, it was a day when only 14 players made par or better and such has been Korda’s form this season, she will fancy her chances of still making the cut and then making it through the field at the weekend.
England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff is on two goals, while Ireland’s Leona Maguire finished with a shot behind in the 73rd, but with such a high score both players are firmly in contention.
European Solheim Cup star Linn Grant of Sweden is also on two points, as are former Women’s British Open champion Sophia Popov of Germany, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Celine Boutier of France.
England’s Charley Hull is five years old, while Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh, England’s Georgia Hall and English amateur Lottie Woad – winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur – are seven.
