Ingrid Lindblad (left) was playing alongside her idol Annika Sorenstam at Pine Needles
US Women's Open, round one leaderboard |
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-7 M Harigae (US); -6 I Lindblad (Swe*); -4 M Lee (Aus), A Nordqvist (Swe), R O'Toole (US) |
Selected: -3 L Thompson (US); -2 JY Ko (Kor), B Law (Eng); -1 L Maguire (Ire), N Korda (US); +1 S Meadow (NI), G Hall (Eng); +2 G Dryburgh (Sco), L Hall (Wal); +4 M Reid (Eng), L Duncan (Sco*), C Hull (Eng); +8 A Fuller (Eng*) |
Sweden's Ingrid Lindblad shot the lowest score by an amateur in US Women's Open history in the first round of this year's championship.
Her six-under 65 at Pine Needles saw the 22-year-old set the early pace at the second women's major of 2022.
However, American Mina Harigae, who was among the later starters, holed nine birdies in a 64 to lead by one.
"I hit a few close to the pin and my putting was great," said Lindblad, who played with her idol Annika Sorenstam.
"It just worked from the fairway to the green. It's a great US Open course."
The legendary Sorenstam, a three-time US Women's Open champion, retired at the end of 2008 but returned to competitive golf after turning 50.
Lindblad's round at the North Carolina course eclipsed the previous best of 66 by an amateur which has been recorded three times, most recently by Gina Kim in 2019.
Asked about playing with Lindblad, 51-year-old Sorenstam, who carded a three-over 74, said: "She's authentic. She's got a special look, but she's a fearless player.
"She's confident in her own game. I know she doesn't shy away from the limelight that maybe I did as a young girl."
Lindblad, from Halmstad on the west coast of Sweden, is one of the stars on the US college circuit and demonstrated her power game in her dazzling opening round, averaging nearly 270 yards off the tee.
Another Swede, Women's Open champion Anna Nordqvist, shot a 67 to lie two behind Lindblad alongside Australian Minjee Lee.
American Lexi Thompson is in a group at three under. Thompson was aged 12 and the youngest player to qualify for a US Open when it was last held at Pine Needles - a record since lowered by Lucy Li.
England's Bronte Law is in a group that contains world number one Sei Young Kim at two under.
Ireland's Leona Maguire is a shot further back, alongside America's world number two Nelly Korda, who is returning after recovering from a blood clot in her arm.
Michelle Wie West, the 2014 champion who is stepping away from competitive golf after this tournament, opened with a two-over 73.
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