Michelle Wie, on the strength of an incredible birdie barrage, blistered a placid Kingsbarns Golf Links to an opening-round 8-under 64 and an early clubhouse lead at the Women’s British Open.
2017 Women’s British Open: Michelle Wie fires 64 to take early lead at Kingsbarns
Wie sets a new women’s course record with an 8-under 64 in her opening round of the Women’s British Open.
Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
Wie, who has not won a tournament since the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, drilled an uphill putt for her ninth birdie of the day, third in a row, and sixth in her last eight holes. With many competitors yet to start their rounds, Wie set a new women’s course record on the Scottish track and finished her day with her trademark smile and a three-shot lead over nearest challenger, Mel Reid (67).
“I was really happy I came over to Scotland a week early. Playing the [Ladies] Scottish Open I learned a lot of great shots,” Wie, who finished 19 last week at Dundonald, told Golf Channel after her stellar round. “Especially coming back from injury it was just nice to come play a week. I’m just grateful to be out here playing.”
Nagging neck pain forced Wie to withdraw from last month’s U.S. Women’s Open, but she showed no lingering affects of the injury she incurred earlier at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
“I can’t complain,” said Wie, who noted that the beautiful sunny day reminded her of her native Hawaii. “I feel good.”
Wie, who has six top-six finishes in 2017, appeared to use an early bogey as motivation for the rest of her round.
“Got me a little pissed off for a bit,” she said about the only blemish on her card, at No. 2.
Playing alongside Wie but not faring so well as the frontrunner was former world No. 1 Lydia Ko, who continued her lackluster game with a 73. The third member of the marquee group, Brooke Henderson, finished with a 70.
