Finally, Mother Nature cooperated.
Subtropical Storm Alberto wreaked havoc on the grounds at Shoal Creek Monday through Wednesday. On Thursday morning, the first round started on time and course conditions were surprisingly unaffected considering the 4.7 inches of rain over the last 72 hours.
Ariya Juanugarn, who leads the Tour in money earned, Race to the CME Globe, top 10s and birdies made, carded a 5-under, 67 to take the early lead in round one of the U.S. Women's Open conducted by the USGA. Jutanugarn, who started on the back nine, started with a birdie and made the turn in 33 with four birdies on her outward nine. The big moment in her round came at the par 5, sixth hole when she reached the green in two with a brilliant 5-iron that rolled to a stop five feet from the hole. She drained the eagle putt.
“I had a pretty good day today,” said Jutanugarn, who didn’t get a practice round on the front nine leading up to the tournament. “I’ve been working hard on my game and it was pretty good today.”
Jutanugarn won the Kingsmill Championship two weeks ago and has finished inside the top 10 in six of her last seven starts.
2014 U.S. Women’s Open winner Michelle Wie also started on the back nine with two birdies over her first four holes. On her inward nine, she rolled in two more birdies to post a 3-under, 69 and is in a tie for second place.
"The greens were fine, the fairways were fine, you wouldn't have known it rained that much," explained Wie. "The greens staff did an amazing job."
Wie made four total birdies and with just 26 putts.
"You look forward to this event the entire year, it's our national championship," said Wie. "I've been really trying to take the game as a game and play it as a game and go out there and try to do my best."
Danielle Kang, who snagged her first major title a year ago, closed with a birdie on her final hole to match her good friend, Wie, at 3-under.
“The golf course is definitely tough, but the conditions were fine,” said Kang, who acknowledged a few mud balls, but didn’t seem be too bothered by them. “This course challenges every aspect of your game.”
Mel Reid is just three shots back after a 2-under, 70. Reid held the lead briefly in the early afternoon with back-to-back birdies on 15 and 16 to get to 4-under. She gave both back with bogeys on her final two holes.
The positive start for Reid is a welcomed sign based on her results this season. She missed the cut in her last six starts and eight of nine this season.
Reid made a switch in her team within the last month, leaving her coach of two years Kevin Craggs and hiring Jorge Parada.
Amateur Patty Tavatanakit, ranked 8th in the world by the World Amateur Golf Rankings, completed an impressive first round, 70. The Bangkok, Thailand native will be a sophomore at UCLA next season.
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