U.S. Women’s Open options four-way tie for lead after first around’s morning groupings

ERIN, Wis. — Jinhee Im, A Lim Kim, Yealimi Noh and Rio Takeda every carded 4-under 68 to tie for the lead after the morning groupings Thursday within the first around of the U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills.

Those rankings are notable as a result of simplest two gamers completed below par in closing yr’s U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania, with Yuka Saso posting a profitable four-round general of 4-under 276. Saso, who is looking for her 3rd U.S. Women’s Open name, posted a 74 on Thursday.

Noh mentioned the low rankings on the 6,829-yard, par-72 route didn’t wonder her. Erin Hills’ issue continuously is in line with the energy of the wind, and it used to be quite calm early Thursday.

“There are some tees out that are pulled up, and a lot of the par-5s, I think all of them are reachable,” Noh mentioned. “Some par-3s were shorter than normal. So, I think for sure, with the minimal wind today, it was definitely a good scoring day.”

Kim, 29, is looking for her moment U.S. Women’s Open name after profitable this tournament in 2020 at Champions Golf Club in Houston. She’s the one golfer a few of the 4 leaders who already has gained a U.S. Women’s Open.

Takeda began at No. 10 and made six birdies in a nine-hole stretch from No. 14 thru No. 4 to make up for her bogeys at No. 17 and No. 2. Noh benefited from an eagle at No. 14, a par-5, 510-yard gap. Im had a bogey-free around that incorporated 4 birdies in a span of 5 holes from No. 10 thru No. 14. Kim made birdie putts of 42 1/2 ft on No. 1 and 32 1/2 ft on No. 4.

“That course condition is really good,” Im mentioned. “I think green speed is really, really fast, but not firm. So if I can hit the fairway, I can (get) the birdie chance.”

Chisato Iwai used to be 5th with a 69. Hinako Shibuno, Maja Stark and Pajaree Anannarukarn every posted a 70.

“It was nice that today’s wind is not as bad as the practice rounds,” Shibuno mentioned. “Also, that yesterday’s rain was helpful. I think when it went on the green that the ball should stop, it stopped. So that was good.”

Jeeno Thitikul, the arena’s second-ranked participant, carded a 75. She began at No. 10 and bogeyed 4 of her first six holes, together with 3 immediately from No. 11 thru No. 13. She bounced again by way of making 3 consecutive birdies on No. 18, No. 1 and No. 2, then bogeyed No. 4 and No. 9.

Lydia Ko, who’s ranked 3rd on the planet, posted a 73 that incorporated a double bogey at the par-5 No. 1.

This yr’s U.S. Women’s Open comes throughout a season notable for its stability — there was a distinct winner at every of the LPGA Tour’s 12 occasions. As essentially the most profitable match of the season, the U.S. Women’s Open includes a $12 million handbag, with $2.4 million going to the winner.

The record of gamers ranked within the most sensible 10 teeing off Thursday afternoon incorporated Nelly Korda (first), Ruoning Yin (fourth), Hyo Joo Kim (7th) and Jin Young Ko (10th).