Women’s U.S. Open Postponed

A total of 75 U.S. Women’s Open players did not finish the 1st round due to a downpour accompanied with thunder and lightning.

The weather conditions might be the biggest decisive factor in the third major of this years LPGA season, which is the 59th Women`s US Open (Total Prize Money: $3.1 million)

Due to pouring rain which delayed three hours of play, and with upcoming sunset in the 1st round of the Women’s U.S. Open held in Orchards Golf Club (par 71, 6473 yards), South Hadley, Massachusetts, U.S. on the 2nd, almost half of the 156 participants, 75 players, had to put off play until the next day to finish the round.

Brittany Lincome (18• United States), who kicked off in the early group, shot a 5-under 66 to take a surprising lead as 16 players recorded under pars. Lincome`s 66 matches a tie with 1994`s Carol Thompson’s 18th hole for lowest par round by an amateur in tournament history

"Golf Queen" Annika Sorenstam (Sweden) notched a 2-under par until the 15th hole and "The Leader of the Korean Pack,” Pak Se-ri (CJ), fought off well with 1-under par until the 13th hole, but faced difficulties with keeping her condition for the upcoming four days as she has to finish the rest off the holes right before the 2nd round.

Especially Pak, who recorded 2 bogies in the opening half, sunk her first birdie on the 10th hole in the latter half and picked up 2 consecutive birdies in the 12th and 13th hole so she felt very unsatisfied while on the up-swing of her performance.

Meanwhile, "Birdie Queen" Park Ji-Eun (Nike Golf), "Golf Prodigy" Michelle Wie (Korean name: Wie Sung-Mi,•14), Kim Young (Shinsegae), and Han Hee-Won (Fila Korea) safely finished the 1st round with an even-par 71.

Michelle Wie, who started on the 10th hole, scored her first birdie on the 11th hole (par 4), but re-evened her score on the 15th hole (par 4).

Michelle Wie joined the under-par group as she cut a stroke on the 3rd hole (par 5) in the latter half, but dropped back with a double bogey on the 5th hole (par 3) and 8th hole (par 4) as she seemed to fall behind with the medium group but succeeded to make a 220 yard approach shot with a 5-wood to set up a 2.7m eagle shot as she drove the galleries wild with enthusiasm when she eagled the shot.

Ahn Shi-Hyun (Kolon Elord) came out in the opening part with the leading group but couldn`t keep up the rise and stayed with the medium group with 2-over par 73 scores. Song A-Ree (Bean Pole Golf), who drew high expectations, recorded 2 birdies, 1 double-bogey, and 6 bogies with a total of 6-over par 77 as she is apprehensive of an early dropout in the preliminary round.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com