England’s Mel Reid and 17-year-old American high school student Megha Ganne kept their putters hot in very cold conditions to play 67 and tie for the lead after the first round of the US Women’s Open on Thursday.
Reid, who was part of the morning wave in thick coastal fog, made five birdies and a bogey to take a one-stroke lead at the clubhouse. ” Honestly, I didn’t think this score was possible Reid said of the Olympic Club in San Francisco, where many players struggled to score in the Lake Course. ” I had a really good game plan. It’s probably the best I’ve had for a tournament. Said Reid. A strategy also developed with the help of Brooks Koepka, quadruple winner of the Majors in men.
Ganne surprise
Reid’s lead looked secure until American amateur Ganne emerged out of nowhere into the sunny afternoon with the help of a real putting demonstration. The young player joined Reid at the top of the leaderboard with a birdie on the 15 and even took the lead on the next hole alone with her sixth birdie of the day. A final bogey on the terrible 18 of the Olympic Club brought her back to equality with the Englishwoman
Ganne, who competed in the Women’s US Open two years ago at the age of 15, said controlling her nerves was key to her success. ” I think the first time is trying for everyone – meeting your idols and being on the stage for the first time is something …, she said. But the second time, even the practice laps, I wasn’t so nervous ».
L’Olympic permissif ?
Brooke Henderson (68) seemed ready to finish tied with the leaders, but the Canadian also tripped over the 18 (bogey). She shares third place with Angel Yin and Megan Khang, at three under par.
While it was likely ahead of the tournament that the winner would finish over par, 15 players beat the course on Thursday, including Lexi Thompson, Shanshan Feng and Yuka Saso, all of whom returned cards of 69 (- 2) and are tied for sixth place. Defending champion Kim A-lim was not so lucky. The South Korean plays 79.
Céline Boutier well launched
Of the two Habs entered in this women’s Major, Céline Boutier is the best after the first round. The Parisienne plays 72 (+1) despite a quadruple bogey on hole n ° 1 (par 5)! Céline Boutier was able to grit her teeth to sign 17 holes without the slightest burr and even haloed with three birdies (12, 14 and 16). It is provisionally 26th.
Céline Herbin follows her compatriot closely. The winner of the 2015 French Open posted 73 (+2) after a day of fighting: three bogeys, one birdie (13, par 3). Enough to place her in 41st place.
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