Skip to main content

Lorie KaneWarren Little

Lorie Kane is four shots off the lead after shooting 69 in the first round of the Women's British Open at Carnoustie on Thursday.

The Charlottetown golfer had six birdies, a bogey and a double bogey on her way to posting her first sub-70 round of the year.

Meena Lee of South Korea overcame wet conditions and shot a 7-under 65 for a two-stroke advantage over Brittany Lincicome. She had seven birdies and no bogeys in a round played mainly in heavy rain.

Lincicome, a winner earlier this year at the ShopRite Classic, started her round early in better conditions and finished with a 67.

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. She played in the British Open at St. Andrews in 2007.

"I like links golf," Lee said. "It's very different to what we play on the LPGA Tour and I really enjoyed it today, despite the weather."

Lincicome made her charge starting at the 12th, where she made a 15-foot birdie putt before hitting a huge drive on the 14th - "must have been 300 yards," she said - setting up an eagle putt with a birdie on 17.

"I played really well," she said. "I didn't take advantage of some chances on the front nine, but then really got going from the 12th. This is a great golf course and it seems to suit my game really well, so I'm looking forward to the next three days."

American Paula Creamer had two eagles and finished with a 69 to tie with Kane, along with Swedish rookie Caroline Hedwall, Japan's Momoko Ueda and Mika Miyazato, South Koreans Na Yeon Choi and Song-Hee Kim and Taiwan's Amy Hung.

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 74.

Canadians Alena Sharp and Stephanie Sherlock each struggled to opening rounds of 5-over 77. Sharp had six bogeys and a double bogey along with three birdies while Sherlock had two bogeys, two double bogeys and a single birdie.

With files from the Associated Press

Interact with The Globe