HOYLAKE, England — South Korea’s So Yeon Ryu took a share of the lead in her Women’s British Open debut, birdieing the final hole for a 2-under 70 at Royal Liverpool.
South Korea’s Haeji Kang also opened with a 70, the highest leading score in the first round since the tournament became a major in 2002, in relatively calm conditions
The 22-year-old Ryu, the 2011 U.S. Women’s Open champion who won the Jamie Farr Toledo Classic last month, had five birdies and two bogeys. She won the Korean LPGA’s Hanwha Finance Classic last week.
The 21-year-old Kang had six birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey.
Australia’s Karrie Webb, the tournament winner in 1995, 1997 and 2002, was stroke back along with 16-year-old English amateur Charley Hull, Jiyai Shin, Ai Miyazato, Mika Miyazato, Stacey Keating, Lydia Hall, Vicky Hurst and Kate Kutcher. Shin, the 2008 winner at Sunningdale, won the Kingsmill Championship on Monday in Virginia, beating Paula Creamer on the ninth hole of a playoff.
Two-time defending champion Yani Tseng opened with a 72. New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the 15-year-old amateur coming off a victory three weeks ago in the Canadian Women’s Open, also shot a 72.
Michelle Wie had a 75.
Smith claims Mid-Am title
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Nathan Smith won the U.S. Mid-Amateur for the record fourth time, beating Canadian hockey referee Garrett Rank 1-up in the 36-hole final.
The tournament winner traditionally receives a spot in the Masters.
The 34-year-old Smith, from Pittsburgh, also won the event for players 25 and older in 2003, 2009 and 2010. He broke a tie with Jay Sigel for the tournament victory record.
The 25-year-old Rank is a referee in the Ontario Hockey League.
Port wins Senior Women’s Am
HERSHEY, Pa. — Ellen Port won the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur for her fifth career USGA women’s title, beating Jane Fitzgerald 4 and 3 on Hershey Country Club’s West Course.
The 50-year-old Port, from St. Louis, won her fourth U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur title last September. The 50-year-old Fitzgerald, from Kensington, Md., is a former Penn State player.
Sjoholm in front at Italian Open
FIANO, Italy — Sweden’s Joel Sjoholm birdied three of his last four holes for an 8-under 64 and a one-stroke lead after the first round of the Italian Open.
England’s Lee Slattery was a stroke back at Royal Park I Roveri.