You aren’t supposed to make 10 birdies in any round of a U.S. Open, much less the first round.
But that’s what Mirim Lee did on Thursday at the Women’s U.S. Open at CordeValle.
Lee put together 10 birdies in the morning wave for a record-tying eight-under par 64 that put her three ahead of her closest competition.
One of those players within three was Christie Kerr and she said that things will get tougher at this major championship.
“I definitely expect it to change,” said Kerr, who had seven birdies of her own on her way to a 67. “I don’t think the USGA likes when we shoot eight-under on their golf course.”
Kerr was tied for second with Minjee Lee who had an eagle and four birdies for her opening effort. Late in the day, Amy Yang joined them. Her 67 was the best effort of the afternoon wave of players.
The leader got out when the greens were more receptive and she took advantage of no wind. “Today’s round was easy day,” said Lee, who is ranked 32nd in the world. “Easy round, yeah.” Lee’s 64 was the first eight-under effort at the women’s Open since 1999 when Lorrie Kane and Becky Iverson both shot 64s.
Things were tougher in the afternoon as the course began to firm up.
The dream group of world’s No. 1 Lydia Ko, No. 2 Brooke Henderson and No. 4 Lexi Thompson were plodding their way around CordeValle. It took them almost three hours to play their first nine holes. At the turn, Thompson was one-under, Ko one-over and Henderson was struggling at two-over par.
Their troubles continued late into the day. Ko finished over-over par. Her 73 left her tied for 52nd. Thompson finished with 74, tied for 67th while Henderson’s 76 left her tied for 104th and in danger of missing the 36-hole cut.
