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Women’s British Open: Wie sets pace, Thompson closing in

By Elizabeth Bethel

KINGSBARNS, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 03: Michelle Wie of the United States celebrates her putt on the 18th green during the first round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links at Kingsbarns Golf Links on August 3, 2017 in Kingsbarns, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
KINGSBARNS, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 03: Michelle Wie of the United States celebrates her putt on the 18th green during the first round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links at Kingsbarns Golf Links on August 3, 2017 in Kingsbarns, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images) /
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Michelle Wie set a brisk 1st round pace at the Ricoh Women’s British Open with Lexi Thompson closing in at the last.

The Ricoh Women’s British Open first round survived two rain delays. Michelle Wie, who went out early and was the beneficiary of the better morning conditions at Kingsbarns, set a brisk pace for the following field.

Wie, paired with Brooke Henderson and Lydia Ko, stumbled at the par-5 2nd but quickly recovered her game and quickly established a fine rapport with the golf course. Playing a game that her fans love to see, Wie hit 13 of 14 fairways, made 17 of the 18 greens in regulation and seemed right at home on those big, undulating Kingsbarns greens, needing a scant 27 putts to complete her round.

Wie signed for a 64 and was in the house at 8-under par while most of the field continued to battle the golf course and the elements. Beth Ann Nichols tweeted out Wie’s clubhouse lead euphorically.

With one more bogey and two less birdies than Wie, Lexi Thompson endured two rain delays and signed for a 67. Her 32 putts to Wie’s 27 marked the only difference in their games.

That may level out with the Friday tee times reversed.

Thompson, playing with Ariya Jutanugarn and So Yeon Ryu, goes off at 7:36am local time while Wie will wait until 12:16pm and risk the threatening afternoon rain disruptions.

Chip-ins

More from Pro Golf Now

  • With her dad on the bag, amateur and Duke Blue Devil standout Leona Maguire signed for a first round 69 at her 7th major championship.
  • Dame Laura Davies, who carded a first round 68 at her 37th Women’s British Open, said of her putting, “It’s the best putting round I’ve had for a donkey’s year, so very pleased.”
  • With double Solheim Cup points going to players who finish in the top-20 at the Women’s British Open, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel are still hopeful but Mo Martin, Angela Stanford, Marina Alex, and Lizette Salas have a better mathematical chance of breaking out of the bubble.
  • Charley Hull, who much prefers parkland style to links tracks, enjoyed her eagle on the 11th today:

Next: Lexi Thompson v Kingsbarns

If you’re stuck on the wrong side of the Atlantic, Golf Channel begins 2nd round coverage of the Ricoh Women’s British Open at 6am ET on Friday, August 4.

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