|
 On a humid day at Pinehurst Resort where the temperature peaked
at 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 degrees Celsius), the 29-year-old
American fired a flawless three-under-par 67 on the fabled No. 2
Course with its challenging turtle-back greens.
Lewis, bidding for a third major title, birdied the 14th, 16th and
the eighth after starting her round at the par-five 10th to finish
two strokes in front of Australian Katherine Kirk and South Korea's
Ryu So-yeon.
Veteran Australian Karrie Webb, who won the 2001 U.S. Women's Open
played at nearby Southern Pines, opened with a 70 while reigning
champion Park Inbee of South Korea made a faltering start to her
title defense, carding a 76.
Lewis, who clinched her first major title at the 2011 Kraft Nabisco
Championship, was delighted with her form on a firm and fast-running
course where only three players finished under par after last week's
men's U.S. Open.
"I'm very happy," the 29-year-old from Ohio told reporters after
taking control of the year's second women's major. "It was such an
easy day. I played really, really solid.
"I didn't put myself in too bad of spots and made a few birdies,
which was nice. I had a lot of tap-in pars. I wasn't struggling to
make par all day.
"I was really hitting the shots I needed to hit. I was in control of
how far I was hitting it. So that's what made it easy. The golf
course wasn't easy, by any means. It's going to play hard the rest
of the week."
MAJOR PRIORITY
Lewis won her second major crown at last year's Women's British Open
and has made the grand slam events her number one priority.
"Everything I'm doing is geared towards majors," said the American,
whose best U.S. Women's Open finish was a tie for third in 2008.
"You have to have control of the ball, you have to putt great and
you have to have control of your emotions.
"The last one, that's been the kicker for me the last few years ...
and I did a really good job of that today."
While Lewis flourished in Thursday's opening round, Korean Park
struggled on her way to a 76 that included four bogeys and two
doubles.
[to top of second column] |
"Just a combination of everything," said the 25-year-old, a
four-times major champion who at 19 became the youngest ever winner
of the U.S. Women's Open with a four-shot victory in the 2008
edition at Interlachen Country Club.
"A couple of really important par putts just missed the hole, some
lip-outs and it just was not a nice day. On this golf course you
make a couple of mistakes, you can easily shoot a high number."
Park, who won last year's U.S. Women's Open at Sebonack Golf Club in
New York to become only the second LPGA player to win the first
three majors in a season, has lowered her sights for Friday's second
round.
"My plan will be making less bogeys tomorrow and trying to just stay
out of the trouble, not so much about the trophy now any more," the
Korean said.
American Lucy Li, who at the tender age of 11 became the youngest
ever to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open in her sectional qualifier
last month, opened with an eight-over 78.
"It was a lot of fun," said the ever-smiling Californian, her hair
in pig-tails and a popsicle in one hand as she spoke to reporters
after her round. "I kind of struggled, but it was great.
"I'm happy I broke 80, because I got two doubles and a triple and
that can really ruin a score. I just need to get rid of the big
numbers."
Asked what her plans were for the rest of the day, Li replied with a
grin: "Eat some more ice cream."
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
[© 2014 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2014 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
