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Choi Na-yeon, Amy Yang lead S. Koreans at US Womens Open, play suspended

July 9, 2015

Amy Yang of South Korea tees off on the 17th during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf championship Thursday, July 9, 2015, in Lancaster, Pa. Yang finished the day 3-under par. (Jeff Lautenberger /York Daily Record via AP)

By Brian Han

After the first day of the U.S. Womens Open in Lancaster, Pa., only about 10 percent of the field found themselves under par.

The hot and humid conditions on Thursday at Lancaster Country Club eventually led to heavy rain, which suspended play although more than half of the rounds were finished by then.

Two South Korean veterans found themselves tied for third at 3-under.

Amy Yang displayed her prowess off the tee hitting 11 of 14 fairways despite the narrow layout of the course.

“I drove really well today,” Yang told reporters after her round. “I missed a couple of drives to the left into the rough. But… I hit it really good. And I also putted fairly good today.”

Her accuracy helped her rack up seven birdies, more than anyone else in the field, but four bogeys plagued her round as she found trouble on the back nine.

Korean American golfer Jane Park also had a very similar round to Choi putting her in tied for third although she was only able to get through 13 holes.

Choi Na-yeon was able to get through 15 holes before being called back to the clubhouse, but managed to push herself towards the top of the leaderboard anyways with four birdies of her own.

Two somewhat unlikely players managed to snag the lead in the opening round — Australian veteran Karrie Webb who has had a tough season and rookie Marina Alex. Both players were able to finish their rounds in which they both shot a 4-under 66.

World No. 1 Inbee Park was the only top-10 ranked player to be in the leaderboard’s top-10.

She was only able to get through 14 holes, but posted a solid 2-under.

World No. 2 Lydia Ko got to finish her round putting up an even-par 70 putting her in a tie for 18th. She had an up and down day recording four bogeys and four birdies.

“A couple of my bogeys are from me hitting it left in the rough,” she said. “When it’s thick, it’s hard to get out of there and hard to judge it. Hitting it in the fairway and on the right side of the greens are really important this week.”

Korean American rookie Alison Lee also ended up even as well and almost finished her round, but was called back after finishing the 16th hole.