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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Michelle Wie birdied two of the three par 5s during the first round of the Women's British Open.
CARNOUSTIE, Scotland >> Meena Lee overcame wet conditions to shoot a 7-under 65 on Thursday for a two-shot lead after the first round of the Women’s British Open.
The South Korean had seven birdies and no bogeys playing mainly in a heavy afternoon downpour.
“I like links golf. It’s very different to what we play on the LPGA Tour and I really enjoyed it today, despite the weather,” Lee said.
Twice a winner on the LPGA Tour in her first two seasons after turning professional in 2005, Lee is making her second visit to Scotland, having played in the British Open at St. Andrews in 2007.
Brittany Lincicome, who started her round in good conditions early in the morning, set the early pace with a 67. Among a group at 68 were Angela Stanford, South Korea’s Amy Yang, Germany’s Caroline Masson and Sweden’s Sofie Gustafson.
Paula Creamer had two eagles and finished with a 69, along with Swedish rookie Caroline Hedwall, Japan’s Momoko Ueda and Mika Miyazato, South Koreans Na Yeon Choi and Song-Hee Kim, Taiwan’s Amy Hung and Canadian Lorie Kane.
Morgan Pressel and three-time winner Karrie Webb shot 70s, one better than defending champion Yani Tseng of Taiwan. Cristie Kerr had a 72, while Michelle Wie had a lackluster 74.
Kristy McPherson made a sensational start and reached the turn at 5 under, but faltered on the back nine and finished with a 71, the same as Natalie Gulbis.
Last week’s Evian Masters winner Ai Miyazato of Japan bogeyed the first five holes on her way to a 76, while former three-time winner Sherri Steinhauer slumped to a 78.
Browne’s eagles give him U.S. Senior Open lead
Olin Browne eagled two holes in a five-hole span down the stretch and finished with a 7-under 64 Thursday for a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the U.S. Senior Open.
Browne, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour in his third year on the over-50 circuit, had four birdies, two eagles and a bogey.
Immelman leads by one at Greenbrier Classic
Trevor Immelman’s best round of the year reinforced the former Masters champion’s belief that he can regain his top form less than two years after wrist surgery.
The South African shot a 6-under 64 Thursday to take the first-round lead by a stroke over five others at the Greenbrier Classic.
Shooting 65s were Gary Woodland, Billy Mayfair, Derek Lamely, Webb Simpson and Australian Steven Bowditch.
India’s Singh leads Irish Open by 2 strokes
Jeev Milkha Singh of India upstaged Ireland’s major winners, shooting an 8-under 63 for a two-shot lead in the first round of the Irish Open.
Singh had an eagle and six birdies, the highlight coming on the 12th when a 20-foot uphill chip went in the cup.
Alexandre Kaleka of France had a 65, while Christian Nilsson, Marcel Siem and Michael Campbell all had 66s.
More than 20,000 fans were on hand in Killarney to watch homegrown stars led by British Open winner Darren Clarke, who shot 69, and U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy, who finished with a 70.
Irishman Graeme McDowell had a 72, and three-time major winner Padraig Harrington finished at 73.
