U.S. Women's Open Day One Wrap-Up

Just as a reminder, here are the last ten golfers to win the U.S. Women's Open:

2013:  Inbee Park (KOR)
2012:  Na Yeon Choi (KOR)
2011:  So Yeon Ryu (KOR)
2010:  Paula Creamer
2009:  Eun-Hee Ji (KOR)
2008:  Inbee Park (KOR)
2007:  Cristie Kerr
2006:  Annika Sorenstam (SWE)
2005:  Birdie Kim (KOR)
2004:  Meg Mallon

So as you can see, this event has been dominated by golfers from South Korea in recent years; they have won 5 of the last 6 Opens, as well as 6 of the last 9.

But the leader after day one of the U.S. Women's Open this year is Stacy Lewis, a Texan who played for the University of Arkansas.  Lewis opened today with a brilliant three-under par 67.  Lewis has previously won two major titles:  the 2011 Kraft Nabisco Championship and the 2013 Women's British Open.  According to Rolex, she is currently the number one ranked player in the world -- just ahead of last year's winner, Inbee Park (who shot a six-over par 76 today).

The other big story today was Michelle Wie, who is still only 24 years old.  Wie has been playing well lately; she has won once on tour this year and she is up to number 11 in the world rankings.  Her bent-over putting style is hard to watch, but apparently it is working for her.  Today she shot a 68 that leaves her only one shot off the lead.

Lewis and Wie weren't the only big names near that top of the leaderboard.  S.Y. Ryu, the 2011 winner, is only two shots off the lead, one shot ahead of Paula Creamer (the 2010 champ) and Karrie Webb (who won this event in 2000 and 2001).  Lexi Thompson (who won the Kraft Nabisco a few months ago) and Juli Inkster (a 53-year-old Hall of Famer) both shot one over par 71's.  So for now, at least, the tournament is off to a very dramatic start.  Pinehurst seems to be working better for this tournament than it did last week.

Emma Talley of Princeton, Kentucky shot a five-over par 75 and is currently in a tie for 59th place, so she has a very good chance to make the cut tomorrow.  That would be a great accomplishment.  Only five amateurs shot lower rounds than Miss Talley.  (And, yes, we still owe our readers a post about Emma Talley's accomplishments in the Curtis Cup a few weeks ago).

Play was suspended at 7:55 P.M. Eastern Time with a few golfers still on the course, but here's the current leaderboard (am = amateur):

1.  S. Lewis:  -3 (67)

2.  M. Wie:  -2 (68)

T3.  K. Kirk (AUS):  -1 (69)
T3.  S.Y. Ryu (KOR):  -1 (69)
T3.  Miss M. Lee (am) (AUS):  -1 (69)

T6.  K. Webb (AUS):  Even (70)
T6.  P. Creamer:  Even (70)
T6.  C. Kung (TAI):  Even (17 holes)
T6.  M. Harigae:  Even (16 holes)
T6.  S. Meadow (NIR):  Even (16 holes)