Lincicome One Shot Off British Open Lead; Tseng, Hull Tied At Top
July 29, 2010 at 12:27 PM by AHN · Leave a Comment
Southport, England, United Kingdom (AHN) – Strong winds, cool temperatures, overcast skies — just another summer day on the west coast of England and a testy opening day for the field at the women’s British Open.
Yani Tseng of Taiwan, winner of the Kraft Nabisco earlier this year, put herself in contention Thursday for her second major with a four-under par 68. She was in a tie at the top with Australian Katherine Hull.
American Brittany Lincicome was a shot back of the leaders. She found herself three-over par after her first two holes but steadied herself to finish three-under at 69.
She was tied with three other players — Amy Yang, Sun Young Yoo and Anne-Lise Caudal of France.
The day started with wind and rain and made it especially tough for the early tee times. Jiyai Shin, the top-ranked player in the world was one of those early starters. She bogeyed her second hole, birdied the third then ran off 14 straight pars before she finished with a birdie at 18 for a 71, one-under.
She was in a group that was a shot behind Michelle Wie and In-Kyung Kim, both finished with 70s.
The strong winds made the course play long, which suited Lincicome, the tour’s longest-hitter.
“It was really windy,” Lincicome said after her round. “I was three-over after the first two holes, not the start I wanted. I settled down and I was hitting it well which really helped.”
“It was really windy,” Shin said after her day on the links. “The first hole was into the wind and it played really long. But I’ve learned to play links golf. I’m excited.”
Shin was joined at 71 by veteran Julie Inkster, who braved the rain and wind early as Shin did. Americans Brittany Lang and Stacy Lewis were in at one-under with her.
Tseng had perhaps the best ball-striking round of the field. “I hit all 18 greens,” she pointed out after her round. “I hit it really well and putted well.”
While many in the field struggled in the wind and with the length of some holes, it didn’t phase Lincicome.
“I”m very excited,” she said after her effort. “Make it longer tomorrow!”
