Nordqvist Solid In LPGA Return and More from Ricoh Women's British Open

WIE RIGHT AT HOME IN HAWAII – AND AT KINGSBARNS

Michelle Wie knew this round was coming. It was just a matter of time. In what has been a resurgent season for the fan favorite, Wie took advantage of the morning’s perfect scoring conditions, thrilling the fans with a blistering 8-under 64 to tie her career-low round and set the women’s course record at Kingsbarns. 

“You always want to win tournaments and be back in the winner’s circle,” said Wie, who has six top-10 finishes in 16 starts this year. “But at the same time, I’ve been having so much fun this year playing golf and having fun again. It’s just been a real joy just being out there and just having fun, honestly. So I think the results will come. Wie is proud of her Hawaiian heritage, often posting stunning photos of her trips home on her social media accounts. In a comparison that might have never before been made, the links at Kingsbarns seemingly made Wie feel at home. 

“The views here are just spectacular,” said Wie of Kingsbarns, which sits draped along the North Sea coastline. “Especially when the weather is good like this, it almost feels like playing back home in Hawaii with the views. It was gorgeous out there.”

KIM CONTINUES SOLID PLAY 

Only two players have won more than one LPGA event this season, and one of them – In-Kyung Kim – sits in second following Thursday’s first round of the Ricoh Women’s British Open. Kim, who captured victories at the ShopRite LPGA Classic and Marathon Classic presented by Owens-Corning & O-I, opened with a 7-under 65 and quickly put herself in contention for her first major title, just one shot behind leader Michelle Wie.

“The wind was picking up on the back nine, and just the scenery is so pretty,” said Kim, who finished T9 at last week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open. “It’s hard to focus on the game actually. But I was able to hit good shots and adjusted to the speed of the greens early on.”

Kim, a native of the Republic of Korea who now makes her home in Texas, is joined by her countrywoman So Yeon Ryu as the season’s only multiple champions. World No. 1 Ryu, winner of the ANA Inspiration and Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G, sits tied for 50th at 1-under 71.

NORDQVIST SOLID IN LPGA RETURN 

Anna Nordqvist made a triumphant return to the LPGA leaderboard on Thursday, carding a 4-under 68 in her first event since being diagnosed with mononucleosis just after last month’s U.S. Women’s Open. 

“I was fortunate to be home with family, so seeing my nieces and nephews and just a few friends,” said Nordqvist, who recuperated in her native Sweden before traveling to Scotland this past Friday. “But everyone else understands I’m sick, so no one really wants to be surrounded by me.” 

Nordqvist was forced to withdraw from last week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open due to her illness. She therefore does not meet the minimum number of Ladies European Tour events required to automatically qualify for the European Solheim Cup Team, and will instead have to rely on a pick from Captain Annika Sorenstam to make the team.

“My main concern is just getting healthy because I don’t want to let down my team,” said Nordqvist, who has played on the last four consecutive European teams. “It would be devastating not being able to play. Hopefully, I mean, we’ll take it day by day and get as much rest as possible. I obviously want to be playing matches and get on the team, but right now my main concern is just getting healthy.”

DAVIES MAKES EXCITING KINGBARNS RUN

On Monday, Laura Davies parred the first playoff hole to qualify for her 37th consecutive Ricoh Women’s British Open. On Thursday, the World Golf Hall of Famer electrified the crowd, at one point reaching six under before finishing at 4-under 68 and in a tie for ninth.

“I‘ve still got the same excitement to come and do well,” said Davies, who was derailed by a double bogey-bogey stretch following an hour-long rain delay. “I’m under no illusions of winning it, but I would love to have a good week and just try and scare the leaders a bit.”

USA SOLHEIM CUP UPDATE

This week’s Ricoh Women’s British Open marks the final week for players to secure precious Solheim Cup points ahead of Sunday’s final team selections. Players in the top 20 will receive double points, with the winner receiving 120 points. The top six players in the USA standings are locked in – No. 1 Lexi Thompson, No. 2 Stacy Lewis, No. 3 Gerina Piller, No. 4 Cristie Kerr, No. 5 Jessica Korda and No. 6 Danielle Kang. But behind that lead group, eight players are fighting for the final two automatic qualifying spots and two Rolex Rankings qualifiers.

Positions and rankings as of July 31, 2017; **denotes current Rolex Rankings qualifier

USA Captain Juli Inkster also has two captain’s picks to select, and has noted several players who are under consideration. Three young Americans – Lindy Duncan, Jaye Marie Green and Ally McDonald – opened with top-10 showings after the first round, and players like Mo Martin, Nelly Korda, Morgan Pressel and Paula Creamer have one last chance to impress the captain.

“Someone, say, way in the pack comes out and finishes second or third in the British Open, I mean, would I pick them? It just all depends on who it is,” Inkster said on a media conference call in late July. “But for me, I think this last two months, three months, kind of tells the tale. All these girls have had the same amount of time to make their points and same amount of tournaments to play in.”

QUICK HITS

Play was suspended to dangerous conditions at 3:40 p.m. and resumed at 4:37 p.m.; it was again suspended at 5:37 p.m. and resumed at 5:54 p.m.

Michelle Wie’s first-round 64 is a women’s course record at Kingsbarns; the previous record was 65, shot by Xiyu Lin in Ricoh Women’s British Open Final Qualifying in 2013

Today marks the third time in 2017 that Wie has shot a 64, joining the third rounds of the Meijer LPGA Classic and the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship; she went on to finish T2 and T4, respectively

The last time Wie held the lead following the first three rounds at a major was after the third round at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open, an event she went on to win

This is Wie’s 76th start since her victory at the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open

Wie is playing in her 12th Ricoh Women’s British Open; her best finish came in 2005, when she finished T3 as an amateur at Royal Birkdale Golf Club

In-Kyung Kim is playing in her 10th Ricoh Women’s British Open; her best finish came in 2010, when she finished T3 at Royal Birkdale Golf Club

Jessica Korda withdrew following her round, citing an arm injury; she had finished at +4 and tied for 131st

QUOTABLE

“I actually don’t really watch golf. I’ll probably take a nap for sure.” - Michelle Wie, on her afternoon plans 

“I think sometimes in the past I’ve maybe tried to work a little bit too much with my game to fit the links. I think you’ve just got to just play with it and not change too much. Sometimes I try to do too much with it, so I just kind of just played it." - Michelle Wie, on her mindset this week

“Definitely.” - Laura Davies, when asked if practice rounds are overrated; Davies did not play any practice rounds after Monday-qualifying for the championship

“Obviously there’s nothing better than representing your country, and by far that’s the best event. For me I’ve played my best golf during that, including last year when I was a captain’s pick. I know I can do it. I know I can pull my own weight. But we’ll see what Juli’s decision is at the end of the week, but hopefully I’m there to represent because I know I won’t let my team down.” - Paula Creamer, who hopes to secure a captain’s pick for the USA Solheim Cup Team