Michelle Wie starts U.S. Women’s Open at 3 under

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. >> Honolulu’s Michelle Wie was pleasantly surprised by the condition of Shoal Creek and her game after the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open.

The 2014 champion shot a 3-under 69 today on a course that’s been drenched in recent days and weeks, forcing the cancellation of Tuesday’s practice round and limiting course time on the eve of the tournament.

Wie got off to a strong start with birdies on the second and third holes and had only one bogey.

“It’s mind-blowing how great the golf course is,” Wie said. “The greens staff, they’ve been working day and night trying to get this golf course ready and have done an amazing job.

“I thought there was no chance we could play a practice round (Wednesday). I was out there and the greens were actually great, today even better. Hopefully, you know, there will be no storms and just get better and better from here.”

She had withdrawn from last year’s U.S. Women’s Open with a neck injury and failed to make the cut in 2016, mired in 89th after the first round.

Wie’s in much better position this time.

With Shoal Creek mostly closed Tuesday, Wie said she “did a whole lot of nothing,” along with working out and doing rehab.

Wie said she was having fun with her playing partners, No. 3-ranked Lexi Thompson (71) and Jessica Korda (77).

“We had a blast out there,” Wie said.

She noted a few errant “mud balls” but was able to shrug them off after a solid round.

The 28-year-old Wie said she’s “really enjoying the game right now, just having fun out there and taking it as an adventure.”

She’s near the top of the leaderboard on the biggest stage after one round. It’s a far cry from some more recent experiences at the Open.

“You look forward to it the entire year,” Wie said. “It’s our national championship. There’s a lot of pressure. Worrying doesn’t really get you anywhere. I’m kind of going out there and just trying to have fun.”

Wie ended the day tied with Danielle Kang and amateur Linn Grant, two shots behind leaders Ariya Jutanugarn, Sarah Jane Smith and Jeongeun Lee.

Punahou graduate and USC sophomore Allisen Corpuz, one of 29 amatuers in the field, began her second U.S. Open appearance with a 4-over 76. Corpuz had three birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey in her first 10 holes then played the last eight at even par with a birdie at the par-3 eighth.

Hilo’s Britney Yada started in the final group off the 10th tee and also ended the round at 4 over. Yada double-bogeyed her first hole and had two birdies in her round, including the par-3 fifth hole.

Corpuz and Yada are among 25 players tied for 96th.