Two-time major champion Cristie Kerr got off to a hot start in round one of the RICOH Women’s British Open, shooting her lowest opening round in this event with a 6-under par, 66 to move within one of leader Hyo Joo Kim. Kerr carded four birdies, one eagle and a bogey on her front nine to go out in 31 on the Ailsa Course at Turnberry.
“It was a lot of fun. I tried to keep my head down and keep going.” Kerr told the media after her round. “I played within myself, just trying to do myself, and not over-worry about results and it paid off.”
Kerr cooled a bit on the back, with back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes before bouncing back with three more birdies to come in with 35.
“I kind of faltered a little bit in the middle, but had a great bounce back with two birdies after two bogeys,” said Kerr. “I tried not to focus on my mistakes today and tried to just keep going forward.”
“I was proud of my mental game today and it allowed me even when I missed shots to keep it in play and keep it going and keep the momentum going.”
A third round 63 at the 2004 Women’s British Open at the Old Course at Sunningdale is her career low round in this championship. The 17-time winner on the LPGA Tour has five top-10’s at this event, her best finish coming in a tie for second in 2006. She finished T-29 the last time Turnberry hosted this event back in 2002.
“Turnberry is great. Especially on a day like today, spectacular,” Kerr said. “There’s a lot of scoring opportunities but it presents with a lot of tough holes as well.”
The weather conditions aren’t expected to be nearly as spectacular come this weekend, with a traditional mix of nasty weather in the forecast, typical when playing the Women’s British Open.
“You’ve got to take it day by day, and I believe there’s some weather coming in, so if you keep your head on straight and your wits about you, you’re going to have a good chance.”
Kerr won earlier his season at the Kia Classic but has struggled at this year’s majors, her best finish coming in a T-19 at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
“Well, I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” said Kerr. “I just have to take it day by day. Of course I’ve already won this year, that’s not in question, but I just have to keep going for it.”
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