Author Archives: sports

LPGA professional Laura Davies, right, walks to the eighth green during a practice round for the upcoming Women's US Open at Lancaster Country Club on Tuesday, July 7, 2015.

Hall-of-Famer Davies more than keeping pace with youngsters

Posted: July 10, 2015 9:53 pm

Laura Davies is just a salt-of-the-earth human being.

She appears continually happy while keeping up with players half her age.

That’s not really an exaggeration.

While Davies is 51, the average age of the players in the U.S. Open field is 25.

She is the only player in this year’s Open who played in the Lady Keystone Open, which was discontinued after 1994. (She won the LKO in ’89).

“I think most of the gallery were children when I was playing (in Hershey),” she said. “Now they are a bit grown up and have come to see me again.”

Playing in her 27th U.S. Open (she won in 87), she continues to play solid golf, following Thursday’s opening-round even-par 70 with Friday’s 2-over 72.

“I don’t practice to nth degree where you wear yourself out,” she said. “My wrist and my knee are a little bad, but (the knee) is just from playing soccer all those years, not golf. I just don’t think I wear myself out on the practice rounds. I really do think that’s a factor.”

Davies echoed the sentiments of most of the players, saying that if you keep the ball in the fairway, you’ll be fine. Miss a fairway and there’s a good chance you’ll drop a shot.

Davies owns 20 wins on the LPGA Tour and 45 on the European Women’s Tour. Certainly in the autumn of her career, things have not gone that well on this side of the pond this year. In nine LPGA Tour events, she has only made two cuts.

But she said she will know when it’s time to stop playing.

“As long as I’m not making a fool of myself,” she said. “And as long as I feel like I can win and I really do feel like I can win every week I tee it up. As long as that feeling stays around, I don’t see any reason to not go on for another five, 10 years. Who knows, I might play rubbish the rest of this year and decide that’s it, I can’t do it to myself anymore.”

Davies is OK on golf’s stage, but a real stage is something different. That’s why she’s a little nervous about her acceptance speech for being inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Andrews, Scotland.

The ceremony is scheduled for Monday and she has some tight travel plans to get her to Scotland on time after Sunday’s final round of the U.S. Open.

“I hope I make it,” she said. “But first and foremost, I want to do well at the U.S. Open before I worry about the next bit.”

F&M grad Ron Sirak travels the world writing and talking about golf

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Ron Sirak has a dream gig for a golf nut, Senior Writer at Golf Digest and contributor to the Golf Channel.

The journey started at Franklin & Marshall College.

“F&M has meant everything to me,” Sirak, F&M Class of 1972, said Friday in the Media Center at Lancaster Country Club.

“My dad worked in the steel mills in Western Pa., and it got me out of that life.”

It got him into journalism, as a general assignment reporter for the Lancaster Independent Press, a weekly newspaper started by local academics with an antiwar bent, at age 19, as an F&M student.

Sirak was working on the Associated Press New York news desk in 1995 when AP’s national golf writer became ill. At the time, the job consisted of following the PGA Tour 40-plus weeks a year.

Sirak said he’d take it if it would include women, amateurs, the business and recreational sides of the game.

“At about the time we implemented the plan, Tiger Woods turned pro, in June of 1996,” Sirak said. “It looked like we were really smart.”’

Sirak covers all the big events in the game – your Masters, your British Opens, your Ryder Cups – but he admits to a particular affinity for the women’s game.

He’s been, for example, a guest as the weddings of Annika Sorenstam and Sofie Gufstason.

“They’re even more accessible and open than the men,” he said. “They let you get to know them.”

Sirak played Lancaster Country Club once or twice during college.

“I knew it was a hidden gem, and this is a perfect market for the LPGA,” he said. “If I was them, I’d be trying to find a title sponsor to come back to this area every year.”

Popular spot to lean to watch on the driving range during the 3rd day of practice rounds of the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Wednesday afternoon , July 8 2015,.

Autograph seekers have had a field day at U.S. Women’s Open

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[youtube id=”-Nn4AkXTsgQ”]The putting and the driving and the chipping and all of that other golf stuff is nice, sure.

But let’s focus on what some fans of the U.S. Women’s Open are really rabid about.

The signing.

Getting autographs from the likes of Michelle Wie and Inbee Park at the Open is the other major sport going on at the tournament this week.

And the early champion just might have been a 14-year-old kid named Andrew Gates.

Andrew, who is from Lebanon, was carrying around a tournament flag, which you could buy at the Merchandise Pavilion for 25 bucks and which is one of the most popular items to have golfers sign.

By Wednesday morning, the flag was completely covered with Sharpie autographs. In fact, Andrew had already received 156 signatures, just four shy of the 160 golfers registered for the event.

Did he know whose signature was whose?

“Oh no,” he said, glancing down at the sea of inky squiggles. “No way.”

At the practice rounds, spectators had plenty of opportunities to get autographs, and there was always a group patiently waiting behind the driving range or putting greens, lining a rope holding flags, hats, photos, T-shirts and even brightly colored rubber balls for the players to sign. The women graciously obliged, chatting with kids, sometimes posing for photos.

The casual, friendly atmosphere of a tournament’s practice days allows fans to rub elbows and talk to some of the sport’s biggest names, which is a unique experience.

“This event is probably the easiest of all major sports where you have access to players as soon as they get here,” said J.W. Besore, 30, of York, who had collected about 70 signatures on a flag and photos. “As long as you walk with them, they’ll sign. Some of the big names are very friendly.”

Emily Johns, 14, of Exton, was also collecting signatures on a flag and by Wednesday, had already gotten one from last year’s champion, Michelle Wie. Emily said she memorized many of the golfers’ appearances so she could keep everyone straight in her autograph hunt.

“Stacy Lewis is really nice,” she said. “So are Danielle Kang and Kim Kaufman. They asked me how I was doing and what I thought about the sport.”

Gates was very organized in his approach, keeping a roster with the golfers’ names and checking them off as he obtained their signatures. He’s no newbie to the signature game, after all.

At the Travelers Championship tournament two weeks ago in Connecticut, he even got a signed club from golfer Hunter Swafford. He’s gotten sigs from Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, pretty much everyone on the PGA tour except one young golfer who is not very friendly, and in fact acts like a downright diva in at least one autograph seeker’s opinion, but will go unnamed. (OK, a hint: His name rhymes with glory and he’s from Northern Ireland.)

Some fans, like Emily Johns, planned to frame their signed flags and hang them on a wall.

Doug Swartz, 45, of York, said he was going to donate his signed flag to the annual Labor Day Auction held in Lancaster County by Hospice & Community Care, which took care of his grandpa when he was dying.

Sometimes getting an autograph turns out to be thrilling for people on both sides of the pen.

Finishing a practice round late Tuesday morning, Inbee Park handed her putter to her caddie and walked off the green of the ninth hole. A small pack of about a dozen autograph seekers, including 15-year-old Emma Kowzun, caught up with Park, a two-time U.S. Women’s Open champ who earned $2.2 million last year.

“Good luck,” said Emma, of Saylorsburg, Monroe County, after Park signed a big photo of Emma, who has played golf for two years, posing with Park last July at the International Crown tournament in Owens Mills, Maryland. Emma’s dad, Todd, shot the photo.

Later, Stephanie Connelly, in her first U.S. Women’s Open, arrived at the practice green. Connelly waited beside the rope for a spot, and Emma pounced. But for once, it might have been the golfer who was more excited than the autograph seeker.

“She told me it was her second autograph ever,” Emma said.

Min Lee tees of on #10 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women's Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Second-round 68 puts Min Lee into weekend contention

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Rookie Min Lee had yet to be much of a factor on the LPGA tour until the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open. On a tougher day for scoring, Lee went out and birdied four of her first six holes. She shot a blistering 31 on the front nine, and ended with a 68 for the round.

“I feel like my iron shots were pretty good today and I was trying to be aggressive to attack the pins, for more chances at a birdie,” Lee said.

She faltered a little on the back nine, shooting 37 without a birdie. The back nine is commonly thought of as the tougher nine at Lancaster Country Club.

“I think the back nine is a little longer, so I was a little upset that I made two bogeys. But I will take that score. That’s really good for me,” Lee said.

Lee is now at 1-under par for the tournament and in contention heading into the weekend.

View of the 7th hole fairway and green along the Conestoga River at Lancaster Country Club during practice rounds on Tuesday, July 7.

Video: Lancaster Country Club neighbors enjoy Open

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Barb Hornberger’s family lives alongside the 10th fairway at Lancaster Country Club. They’re enjoying the U.S. Women’s Open in style from under a canopy.

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Action of the seventh fairway during the opening round of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Thursday, July 9, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Lancaster Country Club fares well compared to other courses, tournaments

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The huge crowds and the Lancaster Country Club course have have impressed this week during the U.S. Women’s Open. And when compared to other recent major golf tournaments, Lancaster fares exceptionally well.

Bob Brookover of Philly.com contrasts the attendance of the Open with the Women’s PGA Championship held last month at West Chester Country Club in Harrison, a suburb of New York City.

“You would think the big city would outdraw this isolated pastoral setting where horse-and-buggy sightings are common place, but that’s not the case,” Brookover writes. The number of spectators this week will “dwarf” the number who watched the PGA Championship last month in New York, according to Brookover.

The Washington Post’s Tony Reid has praise for the Lancaster Country Club course, especially measured against the Chambers Bay course in Washington that hosted the men’s U.S. Open last month.

Reid described Chambers Bay as “brown, burned-out, cratered terrain,” and writes the LCC course brings to mind “emerald vistas.“

Second round leader Amy Yang, tees off the sixth hole during the second round of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Friday wrapup: Amy Yang surges to three-shot lead

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Amy Yang rolled in four consecutive birdies in a round of 4-under 66 for a three-stroke lead after two rounds if the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club. (Full scoreboard)

Second round leader Amy Yang and her caddie, read her par putt on the sixth green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

While the bulk of the field tried to solve the sloping greens at Lancaster Country Club, Yang charged into the lead on her inward nine with birdies on Nos. 11-13. The 25-year-old South Korean was at 7-under 133.

Stacy Lewis, last year’s runner-up, and Japan’s Shiho Oyama were tied for second at 4-under 136.

Marina Alex, part of a three-way tie for the lead after one round, carded a 1-over 71 and was next at 3-under 137.

Karrie Webb, also first round co-leader, had a 2-over 72 and was in a large group at 2-under 138. That group includes top-ranked and two-time champion Inbee Park (70), first-round co-leader Jane Park (72) and Michelle Pressel (70).

Defending champion Michelle Wie rebounded from an opening 72 with a 2-under 68 and was seven shots off the lead.

Earlier

At 3 p.m., with half of the field in the midst of the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club, Amy Yang was on the course and in the lead with a 4-under

Three golfers were one stroke behind: First-round co-leaders Marina Alex and Karrie Webb and Morgan Pressel.

The projected cut is 5-over, and defending champion Michelle Wie was at 3-over.

Earlier

First-round co-leader Jane Park stumbled with a 2-over 72 and fell out of a three-way tie for the top spot midway through the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open.

Park clawed into a tie for first with Karrie Webb and Marina Alex earlier Friday with a birdie and four pars. She and 54 others had to complete their opening rounds one day after play was stopped when storms pounded Lancaster Country Club. She finished at 2 under, along with top-ranked Inbee Park.

Amy Yang was at 3 under and joined two-time U.S. Open champ Webb and Alex as an afternoon starter.

Sei Young Kim made the biggest move of the morning wave. The South Korean shot a 67 after an opening 73 and was at even par along with Taiwan’s Min Lee (68).

Kim’s caddie was removed from the championship this week by the U.S. Golf Association for taking photos of internal notes on the course setup.

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Earlier today

Jane Park made a birdie and four pars Friday morning, moving into a tie for the lead after the first round of the rain-delayed U.S. Women’s Open.

Park is tied with Karrie Webb and Marina Alex at 4-under 66. Na Yeon Choi, the 2012 U.S. Open winner, and Amy Yang are a stroke back. Meanwhile, Min Lee shot one of the better rounds on a difficult day for scoring and is at 1-under entering the weekend.

Top-ranked Inbee Park returned to complete her round and pulled within a shot of the leaders before a bogey at No. 17 left her two shots behind and in a pack of eight players at 68.

Fifty-five golfers were forced to complete their first rounds starting 6:45 a.m. Friday, hours after play was suspended Thursday evening because of a strong storm that pounded Lancaster Country Club with high winds and heavy rain.

Jane Park shrugged off the delay and early start, pleased with her 1-under run through the last five holes.

“It’s a good way to start the day,” the 2004 U.S. Amateur champ said.

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She was at 3 under through 13 holes when play was halted. The 28-year-old American got off to a quick start when play resumed, making a 15-foot downhill putt for birdie at the par-4, 14th to tie for the lead.

She saved par at the 17th by hitting to within two feet from a bunker. But she nearly gave a stroke back at the 437-yard, par-4 uphill 18th.

She hit driver, 3-wood and still couldn’t get her ball close to the hole. She chipped close with her third shot and drained a testy 2-footer for par.

“At 18, I haven’t been able to reach the hole all week,” she said after her approach hit a few paces on the green, only to roll back off the front.

She recovered by hitting her chip close and closing out the par. Then, she shifted her focus quickly to the second round, which she started an hour after finishing the first.

“It’s the luck of the draw,” she said, “People have to deal with it. And whoever can deal with it best should come out pretty well.”

First round co-leaders Webb and Alex weren’t due to tee off in the second round until later Friday.

Webb, a seven-time major champion who won consecutive U.S. Opens in 2000-2001, has struggled this season, posting three top-10 finishes in 14 starts. Her play improved Thursday when she hit 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens.

“It’s been a test of my patience. I feel like I’ve had some good golf in me,” Webb said.

Alex was an unlikely leader. The second-year LPGA player is competing in her second U.S. Open and first since 2009. She has been working on swing changes and it all seemed to come together Thursday as she birdied three of her last five holes to get to 4 under.

Among the players Joining Inbee Park at 2 under were Morgan Pressel, who reached 4 under before making bogey on two of her last three holes, and China’s Muni He, a 16-year-old amateur playing in her first U.S. Open.

More coverage

Where, when to watch the U.S. Women’s Open on TV

Friday’s Round 2 tee times (updated)

Parking now also available at Conestoga Valley High School

Friday recap: Webb, Alex lead Round 1 of U.S. Women’s Open as thunderstorms mar day

Historic Thursday at Lancaster Country Club had a little bit of everything

Lexi Thompson putts on 9 Friday morning to finish her first round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. Thompson was forced to finish her first round Friday moring after severe weather suspended play Thursday afternoon. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Golf spectators board a shuttle bus at Park City for the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club.

Conestoga Valley High School available for U.S. Open parking

Posted:

U.S. Women’s Open officials announced Friday morning that Conestoga Valley High School, 2110 Horseshoe Road, is now open for all volunteer and ticket-holder parking for the remaining three rounds of the championship, Friday through Sunday.

No hangtags are needed for access.

Officials are encouraging volunteers and attendees to consider both Conestoga Valley High School and Park City Center as options for parking when attending the championship.

Shuttles will run continuously from both locations, to and from Lancaster Country Club.

Paula Creamer tees off at #1 to start her second round of the 2015 U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Photo Gallery: Friday at the U.S. Women’s Open

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Paula Creamer tees off at #1 to start her second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Morgan Pressel sinks a putt for par on the 12th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex waits for a group of kayakers in the Conestoga River before teeing off on the seventh hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Jane Park hits from the fairway on the 9th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Jane Park waits for her turn to putt on the 9th green during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Jaye Marie Green tees off on the 18th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

A man takes a nap in the shade of a tree along the 18th fairway during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Amy Yang shares a laugh with her caddie on the 13th green after the third of four consecutive birdies on the back nine during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Amy Yang watches her tee shot from the 16th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Amy Yang tees off on the 13th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex watches her tee shot on the 5th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex speaks to her caddie before a putt on the 6th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex sizes up a putt on the 6th green during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex watches her tee shot on the 9th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex tees off on the seventh hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Jane Park tees off on the 9th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex crosses a walking bridge over the Conestoga River after her tee shot on the seventh hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex tees off from the fourteenth hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Georgia Hall tees off on the 9th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Morgan Pressel tees off on the 13th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Morgan Pressel couldn’t get this birdie putt to drop on the 13th during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

A drone, flies above the 2nd green during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Jane Park smiles as she walks off the 9th green during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex celebrates after sinking a par putt on the 6th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex tees off from the sixth hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Morgan Pressel tees off on the 15th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex and her caddie share a snack before the 8th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Jane Park chips from the fringe of the 9th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

Marina Alex can’t get a birdie putt to drop on the 7th hole during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

A kayaker takes a photo of the action near the 7th tee from the Conestoga River during Round 2 of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10. (Casey Kreider/LNP)

With the Conestoga River as a scene setter, crowds gather to watch the action on the sixth green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

With a sycamore as a scene setter, Shanshan Feng and Karrie Webb approach the eighth green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Marina Alex watches her playing partners on the 12th green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Stacy Lewis hits her shot from a greenside bunker on the eighth hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Stacy Lewis watches her tee ball on the ninth hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Stacy Lewis keeps her eye on her par putt on the eighth greenduring the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Stacy Lewis watches her fairway metal on the ninth hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Karrie Webb’s yardage book is pictured in her back pocket as she waits to hit her tee shot on the eighth hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Austin Ernst, Lee-Anne Pace and Ally McDonald make their way to the eighth green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

A marshall watches play at the 12th green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Morgan Pressel reacts to her tee shot on the 15th hole that landed in a fairway bunker during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Morgan Pressel watches her birdie putt cozy up to the 15th hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Karrie Webb plumb bobs her putt on the second hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Karrie Webb looks at her yardage book on the sixth green as she waits for playing partners to finish their putts on the sixth green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Shanshan Feng, Suzann Petersen and Karrie Webb are pictured on eight tee during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Austin Ernst and her caddie try to factor in the wind for her approach shot to nine green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Austin Ernst hits her greenside bunker shot to nine green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Austin Ernst hits her pitch shot to eight green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

The pairing of Charlie Hull, Mi Hyang Lee and Ariya Jutanugarn make their way to the sixth green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Maria Balikoeva hits onto the ninth hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Rumi Yoshiba waits for her caddie as they approach nine green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Rumi Yoshiba and her caddie work on yardage for her shot into nine green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Maria Balikoeva and Rumi Yoshiba approach nine green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Lancaster’s King Knox. stands on seven tee as he works his walkie talkie during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Patrons watch the action on five green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Mi Hyang Lee watches her tee ball on the 15th hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Ariya Jutanugarn and her caddie share a laugh on the 15th tee box during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Shanshan Feng and her caddie calculate yardage on seven fairway during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

A good walk was taken on the seventh fairway by Suzann Petersen and Karrie Webb long with their caddies during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, walks to the 16th green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, tees off the sixth hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, tees off the 15th hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, walks off the 14th hole after a birdie during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, right, is pictured on the sixth tee box with Mirim Lee and Morgan Pressel, center, during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, nods to the crowd after her par putt on the sixth green during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, fixers her ball mark on the 14th hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Two kayakers make their way through the golf course on the Conestoga River during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Second round leader Amy Yang, tees off the seventh hole during the second round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Friday, July 10, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Jane Park, reacts after a spectacular hit onto the 18th green, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park, eyes up her putt on the 2nd hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park, looks over her notes as she heads up the 2nd fairway, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park, hits her approach shot onto the 18th green, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park, tees off on the 18th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, drives the ball off the 10th fairway, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Fans wastch the action on the #9 green at Lancaster Country Club during the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Spectators walk across the fairway on #18 as golfers make their way toward the green in the second round of the U.S. Women’s Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

This is a shot down 18 from the green at Lancaster Country Club during the second round of the 2015 U.S. Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fans watch the action on the #18 green at Lancaster Country Club during the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Fans make their way between holes at Lancaster Country Club as they watch the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Gwladys Nocera puts on 18 Friday morning as she finishes her first round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club. Nocera was forced to finish her first round Friday because of play being suspended by severe weather Thursday afternoon. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Brittan Lincicome chips on 18 as she finishes her first round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday morning. Lincicome finished her first round Friday morning after severe weather forces play to be suspended Thursday afternoon. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Hyo Joo Kim chips on 18 as she finishes her first round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday. Hyo finished her first round Friday morning after severe weather suspended play Thursday afternoon. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Inbee Park puts on 18 Friday morning as she finishes her first round of the 2013 U.S. Women’s Open.(Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Inbee Park takes questions during a press conference at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Friday.

Mike Trostel interviews Jane Park after she finished her second round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday.

Jane Park takes questions during a press conference after finishing her second round at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Line Vedel, tees off on the 3rd hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Goergia Hall, hits out of the bunker on the 16th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, and her caddie walk onto the 12th green, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park, tees off on the 3rd hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park, putts on the 18th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Crowds cross the fairway on the 18th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Jane Park, tees off on the 17th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, putts on the 16th green, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, hits her approach shot on the 16th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, putts on the 15th green, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Hyo Joo Kim, hits out of the bunker on the 14th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, tees off on the 12th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Brittany Lincicome, hits out of the bunker on the 12th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Brittany Lincicome, tees off on the 12th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Inbee Park, tees off on the 11th hole, during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Larry and Patricia Keller, of East Hempfield Twp., take in the action during second day action of the 70th US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club Friday July 10, 2015. (Photo/Chris Knight)

Stephanie Connelly putts on #1 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Patrick Blain)

Min Lee hits from #9 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open.

Katherine Kirk hits from the bunker on #9 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Patrick Blain)

Anna Nordqvist hits form the bunker on #17 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Patrick Blain)

Sei Young Kim putts on 17 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Patrick Blain)

Anna Nordqvist putts on #17 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Patrick Blain)

Inbee park putts on #17 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Patrick Blain)

Jessica Korda tees off at hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club to start her second round in the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Friday morning. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Mariajo Uribe tees off from #1 at Lancaster Country Club to start her second round of the 2015 U.S. Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Min Lee tees of on #10 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Katherine Kirk tees off on #10 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Celine Boutier tees off on #10 at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Cristie Kerr putts on the #1 green at Lancaster Country Club in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Open Friday. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Christie Kerr tees off at hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club in her second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open Friday morning. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Lexi Thompson tees off from #1 at Lancaster Country Club Friday morning to start her second round of th2015 U.S. Women’s Open.

Lexi Thompson hits from the sand on hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club Friday morning in her second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Na YeonChoi putts on hole #1 at Lancaster Country Club Friday morning in the second round of the 2015 U.S. Women’s Open. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

Marina Alex talks during a press conference following her finish at four under par in the first round of the 2015 U.S. Open at Lancaster Country Club Thursday.

Recap: Webb, Alex lead partial Round 1 of U.S. Women’s Open

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Atop the leaderboard, veteran Karrie Webb and second-year LPGA Tour player Marina Alex did their best to temper expectations at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Both early starters opened with a 4-under-par 66 on Thursday, and that score held up through the afternoon before things turned wet and windblown. Play was suspended in the early evening after a storm packing high winds, lightning and heavy rain pounded Lancaster Country Club.

The sudden halt to the action with 55 players needing to complete their rounds — with at least two threatening the lead — left Webb and Alex as unlikely co-leaders.

The USGA’s plan is to restart the first round at 6:45 a.m. Friday and begin the second round at 7:15.

Amy Yang was in the clubhouse a shot behind the leaders. Two players on the course were also at 3 under: Na Yeon Choi, the 2012 U.S. Open champion, had three holes to play, while Jane Park had five.

Top-ranked Inbee Park birdied two of her last three holes before play was stopped and was at 2 under through 14. Morgan Pressel and six other morning starters shot a 2-under 68.

Karrie Webb talks during a press conference following four under par finish in the first round of the 2015 U.S. Open at Lancaster Country Club Thursday.

The 40-year-old Webb reeled off four birdies on her second nine holes and finished with her first score in the 60s in a U.S. Open since 2001, when the Australian won the tournament for the second straight year.

The seven-time major champ started on the back nine and reeled off 10 straight pars before making her move with birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and eighth holes.

This season has been a struggle for Webb, who has three top-10 finishes in 14 starts. That all changed Thursday when she hit 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens.

“It’s been a test of my patience. I feel like I’ve had some good golf in me,” Webb said.
An eighth major title would move her into a tie for sixth place with Betsy Rawls, but Webb said it was too early to think about that.

“That’s never been a goal of mine,” she said. “I’m just happy to get off to a good start and hopefully continue to play this good for the next three days.”

Alex, playing in her second U.S. Open and first since 2009, was a surprise atop the leaderboard. The 24-year-old from Wayne, New Jersey, is in her second season on the LPGA Tour. She missed the cut five straight weeks and her best finish was a tie for ninth in Arkansas.

She’d been working on swing changes before the tournament, and it finally all came together.
She hit a 5-wood to within 18 feet on the ninth hole and made a curling birdie putt.

“It was the best putt and best shot of the day for me, so that was great,” she said.

Alex was an amateur when she played in her first U.S. Open.

“I qualified like the last spot on my sectional,” she said. “My game then and now is not even remotely the same. I was a nervous kid, pretty much.”

On Thursday, she embraced the championship atmosphere and cheering crowds.

“I’m not a front-runner for this tournament, really,” she said. “So I’m just going to go out there and have fun tomorrow with my caddie and just keep doing the things that we’ve been doing and just see where that puts me.”

Elizabeth Nagel, a 23-year-old playing her second professional event, was in the group two strokes off the lead. Making her U.S. Open debut wasn’t going to rattle the cancer survivor.

After a trip to her doctor because of cold symptoms during her junior year at Michigan State, Nagel was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had surgery to remove her thyroid and cancerous lymph node in her neck. Nagel went through radioactive iodine treatments and was declared cancer free about a year later.

“It kind of brings all this into perspective and makes this even more special,” she said.

Everybody says it, but when you make a bogey you keep pressing on. When you’ve heard the ‘C’ word and went through that whole battle really in your life, it brings everything back to even keel.”

Stacey Lewis, who finished second last year, shot a 69, while Lydia Ko opened with 70, and defending champion Michelle Wie, slowed by injury and illness this season, shot a 2-over 72.
Jimin Kang withdrew after 16 holes, citing illness.

Numbers were blown out of the leaderboard for the U.S. Open by the 18th hole at Lancaster Country Club by winds from a thunderstorm Thursday afternoon. (Photo/Blaine Shahan)

U.S. Women’s Open: Partial first-round scoreboard

Posted:

Thursday
At Lancaster Country Club
Lancaster, Pa.
Purse: TBA ($4 million in 2014)
Yardage: 6 483; Par: 70 (35-35)
(a-amateur)
Partial First Round
Marina Alex 32-34—66 -4
Karrie Webb 31-35—66 -4
Amy Yang 33-34—67 -3
Mi Hyang Lee 33-35—68 -2
Morgan Pressel 36-32—68 -2
In Gee Chun 35-33—68 -2
Austin Ernst 34-34—68 -2
Sydnee Michaels 34-34—68 -2
Elizabeth Nagel 33-35—68 -2
Stacy Lewis 37-32—69 -1
Azahara Munoz 34-35—69 -1
Pernilla Lindberg 36-34—70 E
Lydia Ko 33-37—70 E
Jung Min Lee 36-34—70 E
Brittany Lang 35-35—70 E
a-Emma Talley 34-36—70 E
Shiho Oyama 38-32—70 E
Ai Suzuki 34-36—70 E
Laura Davies 36-34—70 E
Jaye Marie Green 36-35—71 +1
Ryann O’Toole 35-36—71 +1
Ayako Uehara 37-34—71 +1
Sakura Yokomine 36-35—71 +1
Danielle Kang 35-36—71 +1
Charley Hull 35-36—71 +1
Mo Martin 37-34—71 +1
Mirim Lee 35-36—71 +1
Lizette Salas 33-38—71 +1
Gerina Piller 34-37—71 +1
Teresa Lu 36-35—71 +1
a-Megan Khang 32-39—71 +1
Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu 35-36—71 +1
Christina Foster 34-37—71 +1
Lala Anai 35-36—71 +1
Stephanie Connelly 35-36—71 +1
Lee Lopez 34-37—71 +1
Mina Harigae 35-36—71 +1
Min Lee 35-36—71 +1
Candie Kung 35-36—71 +1
Erika Kikuchi 35-36—71 +1
a-Gaby Lopez 37-35—72 +2
Tiffany Joh 36-36—72 +2
Michelle Wie 35-37—72 +2
So Yeon Ryu 36-36—72 +2
Thidapa Suwannapura 36-36—72 +2
Kris Tamulis 37-35—72 +2
Laura Diaz 36-36—72 +2
a-Hannah O’Sullivan 36-36—72 +2
Belen Mozo 38-34—72 +2
Kim Kaufman 35-37—72 +2
Breanna Elliott 36-37—73 +3
a-Nikolette Schroeder 38-35—73 +3
Ji-Young Oh 38-35—73 +3
Shanshan Feng 37-36—73 +3
Lee-Anne Pace 39-34—73 +3
a-Suzuka Yamaguchi 36-37—73 +3
Alejandra Llaneza 36-38—74 +4
Amelia Lewis 38-36—74 +4
Xiyu Lin 34-40—74 +4
Birdie Kim 37-37—74 +4
Jenny Shin 36-38—74 +4
Ally McDonald 41-33—74 +4
a-Maria Fassi 39-35—74 +4
Ayaka Matsumori 37-38—75 +5
Haru Nomura 38-37—75 +5
Dewi Claire Schreefel 36-39—75 +5
Eun Hee Ji 39-36—75 +5
a-Kristen Gillman 37-38—75 +5
Holly Aitchison 36-39—75 +5
Lauren Taylor 39-36—75 +5
Mallory Blackwelder 38-37—75 +5
Katherine Kirk 36-39—75 +5
a-Lindsey Weaver 38-38—76 +6
Sarah-Jane Smith 38-38—76 +6
Brooke Pancake 39-37—76 +6
a-Angella Then 37-39—76 +6
a-Celine Boutier 38-38—76 +6
Jennifer Song 36-40—76 +6
a-Lilia Khatu Vu 38-39—77 +7
Mika Miyazato 40-37—77 +7
Babe Liu 40-37—77 +7
Meena Lee 39-38—77 +7
Pornanong Phatlum 40-37—77 +7
a-So Young Lee 38-39—77 +7
Haley Italia 39-38—77 +7
Yanhong Pan 37-40—77 +7
a-Daniela Darquea 37-41—78 +8
Kylie Walker 41-37—78 +8
Ariya Jutanugarn 43-36—79 +9
Suzann Pettersen 40-39—79 +9
Su Oh 42-37—79 +9
Yuting Shi 38-41—79 +9
Dori Carter 40-40—80 +10
Haeji Kang 39-41—80 +10
Caroline Hedwall 38-42—80 +10
Heather Macrae 40-40—80 +10
a-Samantha Wagner 39-41—80 +10
Natalie Gulbis 41-40—81 +11
a-Jennifer Park 41-40—81 +11
a-Nikki Long 43-43—86 +16
Jimin Kang WD

Leaderboard
SCORE THRU
1. Marina Alex -4 F
1. Karrie Webb -4 F
3. Amy Yang -3 F
3. Na Yeon Choi -3 15
3. Jane Park -3 13
6. Mi Hyang Lee -2 F
6. Morgan Pressel -2 F
6. In Gee Chun -2 F
6. Austin Ernst -2 F
6. Sydnee Michaels -2 F
6. Elizabeth Nagel -2 F
6. Inbee Park -2 14
6. a-Muni He -2 11
14. Stacy Lewis -1 F
14. Azahara Munoz -1 F
14. Chella Choi -1 16
14. Q Baek -1 15

Friday’s second-round tee times for U.S. Women’s Open

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In the wake of Thursday’s weather-related postponement, the resumption of Round 1 of the U.S. Women’s Open will occur at 6:45 a.m. Friday.

Round 2 will begin at 7:15 a.m. The afternoon starting times will begin at 12:45 p.m. Those times are slightly later than the original Round 2 tee times that had been planned.

After the first two rounds and the 36-hole cut, pairings and tee times will be based on score.
(a = amateur)

Friday morning hole No. 1
7:15 a.m. – Lee Lopez, Yuting Shi, Jennifer Park (a)
7:26 a.m. – Lauren Taylor, Maria Fassi (a), Yanhong Pan
7:37 a.m. – Katherine Kirk, Min Lee, Celine Boutier (a)
7:48 a.m. – Jodi Ewart Shadoff, Erika Kikuchi, Kim Kaufman
7:59 a.m. – Karine Icher, Christina Kim, Hee Young Park
8:10 a.m. – Ilhee Lee, Chella Choi, Brooke Henderson
8:21 a.m. – Na Yeon Choi, Cristie Kerr, Lexi Thompson
8:32 a.m. – Julieta Granada, Q Baek, Sandra Gal
8:43 a.m. – Paula Creamer, Mariajo Uribe, Jessica Korda
8:54 a.m. – I.K. Kim, Catriona Matthew, Caroline Masson
9:05 a.m. – Lauren Doughtie, Beth Lillie (a), Sarah Burnham (a)
9:16 a.m. – Mariel Galdiano (a), Jennifer Coleman, Bertine Strauss
9:27 a.m. – Muni He (a), Wei Ling Hsu, Dylan Kim (a)

Friday morning hole No. 10
7:15 a.m. – Stephanie Connelly, Suzuka Yamaguchi (a), Holly Aitchison
7:26 a.m. – Ai Suzuki, Hannah O’Sullivan (a), Samantha Wagner
7:37 a.m. – Mina Harigae, Mallory Blackwelder, Belen Mozo
7:48 a.m. – Laura Davies, Candie Kung, Jennifer Song
7:59 a.m. – Stephanie Meadow, Mi Jung Hur, Moriya Jutanugarn
8:10 a.m. – Yani Tseng, Beatriz Recari, Alison Lee
8:21 a.m. – Ha Na Jang, Angela Stanford, Carlota Ciganda
8:32 a.m. – Sei Young Kim, Anna Nordqvist, Minjee Lee
8:43 a.m. – Inbee Park, Brittany Lincicome, Hyo Joo Kim
8:54 a.m. – Sun Young Yoo, Misuzu Narita, Gwladys Nocera
9:05 a.m. – Line Vedel, Georgia Hall, Jane Park
9:16 a.m. – Rumi Yoshiba, Maria Balikeova, Regina Plasencia (a)
9:27 a.m. – Lori Adams (a) Nontaya Srisawang, Min Gyeong Youn (a)

Friday afternoon hole No. 1
12:45 p.m. – Alejandra Llaneza, Lilia Khatu Vu (a), Lindsey Weaver (a)
12:56 p.m. – Amelia Lewis, Ji-Young Oh, Jaye Marie Green
1:07 p.m. – Xiyu Lin, Mika Miyazato, Nikki Long
1:18 p.m. – Birdie Kim, Marina Alex, Haeji Kang
1:29 p.m. – Sakura Yokomine, Caroline Hedwall, Meena Lee
1:40 p.m. – Charley Hull, Mi Hyang Lee, Ariya Jutanugarn
1:51 p.m. – Mirim Lee, Amy Yang, Morgan Pressel
2:02 p.m. – Azahara Munoz, Lizette Salas, In Gee Chun
2:13 p.m. – Karrie Webb, Suzann Pettersen, Shanshan Feng
2:24 p.m. – Austin Ernst, Lee-Anne Pace, Ally McDonald
2:35 p.m. – Natalie Gulbis, Emma Talley (a), Laura Diaz
2:46 p.m. – So Young Lee (a), Heather Macrae, Haley Italia
2:57 p.m. – Elizabeth Nagel, Angella Then (a), Lala Anai

Friday afternoon hole No. 10
12:45 p.m. – Breanna Elliott, Gaby Lopez (a)
12:56 p.m. – Nikolette Schroeder (a), Ayaka Matsumori, Daniela Darquea (a)
1:07 p.m. – Tiffany Joh, Haru Nomura, Sarah-Jane Smith
1:18 p.m. – Babe Liu, Dori Carter, Brooke Pancake
1:29 p.m. – Ryann O’Toole, Ayako Uehara, Dewi Claire Schreefel
1:40 p.m. – Eun Hee Ji, Danielle Kang, Pernilla Lindberg
1:51 p.m. – Michelle Wie, Kristen Gillman (a), Mo Martin
2:02 p.m. – So Yeon Ryu, Stacy Lewis, Lydia Ko
2:13 p.m. – Gerina Piller, Jung Min Lee, Pornanong Phatlum
2:24 p.m. – Teresa Lu, Brittany Lang, Jenny Shin
2:35 p.m. – Sydnee Michaels, Thidapa Suwannapura, Kris Tamulis
2:46 p.m. – Kylie Walker, Megan Khang (a)
2:57 p.m. – Haruka Morita-Wanyaolu, Christina Foster, Su Oh

Lexi Thompson putts on 16 during the first round of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Thursday, July 9. (Photo/Casey Kreider)

Historic day at Lancaster Country Club had a little bit of everything

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One eye on golf, another on the sky.

That was the way thousands of golf fans went about watching the first round of the United States Women’s Open Thursday at the Lancaster Country Club.

For most of the day, whatever was in the passing clouds, stayed in those clouds.

True, a tornado watch was issued but elapsed. At approximately 5:15 p.m., a weather warning was issued and with it the message “spectators should be prepared to take cover.’’ The bleachers were cleared of fans, who were able to stay and watch provided they stayed on the grass outside the ropes.

Most, however, headed for the buses to transport them back to their cars at Park City.
At 6:03 p.m., the weather conditions were deemed dangerous, and play was suspended. Players headed for vans near the holes they were playing and stayed in place until a thunderstorm packing heavy wind and rain blew through the course.

An “all clear’’ was declared at 7:47 p.m. and players were allowed on the practice range and green.

The tournament, however, did not restart, leaving 56 players having to complete their first round early this morning. (Second-round starting times will likely be affected).

Officials indicated that they would rather use what light was left Thursday evening to clean up the course in preparation’s for today’s play.

Thursday’s late afternoon rain, however, couldn’t dampen the excitement brought by a U.S. Open in Lancaster County’s backyard.

“I measure spur-of-the-moment things by smiles,’’ said Steve Buterbaugh, the vice chairman for the event. “I had just one comment that wasn’t great. That’s it. A lot of smiles. A lot of, hey, this is bigger than I thought. Our corporate clients are saying this is a better-than-expected experience. We’re getting great feedback.’’

As far as attendance numbers go, the USGA is reserving their comment until the final round is played Sunday.

An event of this scope can be fraught with issues. But despite this being Lancaster Country Club’s first mega-event, the issues were kept to a minimum.

“We had to make a few tweaks but we weren’t caught by surprise in anything today,’’ Buterbaugh said. “We’re all learning. The executive committee and the fans, too, especially about items that weren’t allowed on the course.’’

Steamy conditions greeted fans, who jammed Park City’s parking lot with their cars before traveling to LCC via school buses.

The fringes of the fairways were crowded, too, especially on the holes where defending champion Michelle Wie, LPGA money leader Inbee Park and Morgan Pressel were playing.
Many of the stands behind the greens were filled with fans, who provided the group audio commentary.

Applause when a putt dropped. A drawn out oooohhhh when the putt was a near-miss. And applause —light as it might have been for the lack of fans watching — when Babe Liu from Chinese Taipei flew in her third shot from 150 yards out on No. 13 for an eagle.

Co-leader Marina Alex started drawing a crowd as her score went lower and lower.

Facing a seven-footer for birdie on No. 9, her last hole of the day, Marina slid the putt just past the hole on the left edge, bringing that oooohhhh from the fans in the stands behind the green.
While 4-under for the day was nice, 5-under would have been great. Still, the New Jersey native was all smiles when being interviewed after her round.

Interviewers came from every media outlet imaginable — The New York Times is here as well as Golf Digest and the African American Golf Digest.

Mike Collins, a senior golf analyst for ESPN, attended McCaskey and Conestoga Valley High Schools. (Kevin Freeman photo)

And there’s Mike Collins from ESPN. Collins, a senior golf analyst for ESPN, attended McCaskey and Conestoga Valley High Schools. Collins took a circuitous route to ESPN. From stand-up comedian (you might remember him from the Uptown Comedy Club and Italian Villa) to 10 years as a PGA caddie to Sirius/XM radio’s PGA Tour Network.

Collins, 44, credits his experience as a PGA caddie for his ability to conduct interesting interviews with his guests. Collins lives in Gainesville, Florida, but his mother lives in Mountville.
Buterbaugh’s good reports on the day’s events were echoed by Rory Connaughton, who oversaw the scoring for the tournament.

Outside of doing some repairs to a leaderboard near the third hole, all went smoothly.
“I talked to Ross Galarneault, who is the director of scoring for the USGA and he was saying this was as smooth as a day as we could hope for, so I’m delighted about that,’’ Connaughton said.

Connaughton is also on a committee for course set-up. After Thursday’s rain, he’s looking forward to today’s “healthy wind and drier air.

“The course will become a different type of test for the players,’’ he said.

Having spent the last few years planning the event, did it come off as expected?

“We’re admittedly surprised,’’ Buterbaugh said. “We thought we could do this.

“I said way back that we had everything nailed down and I hope the people come.’’

And they did.

Inbee Park, the world's number one ranked player, walks toward the third fairway after teeing off duing the opening round of the US Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club on Thursday, July 9, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Mike Gross: Inbee Park where she wants to be

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Was strolling around Lancaster Country Club Wednesday with a swing coach I’ve gotten to know a little, a guy who works with players on both the PGA and LPGA Tours.

His student on this day happened to be playing a practice round with Inbee Park. Park had recently hit several ugly, low, weak spinless shots that would have been surprisingly bad for a six handicap, and, astonishing for the best woman golfer on Earth.

“That’s gonna be your winner, right there,” swing coach said, meaning Park, and meaning U.S. Open champion.

He has no problem at all with Park’s swing, featuring a slow, straight upright backswing and then a re-route on the way down.

“It isn’t a swing you’d teach,” he said. “But she owns it. She’s completely worry-free. She’s not thinking about it going right or left, and she doesn’t care if it does. Fearless.”

Inbee Park thanks the crowd after sinking her par putt on the ninth hole during the opening round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Thursday, July 9, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)

Park must be the least likely great athlete in any current sport. She’s calm to the point of appearing placid. Her reaction to those funky low liners she was hitting Wednesday?

Look stoically at her caddie, wait for another golf ball, and try it again.

“I think when I try to play well, I just kind of know that I have to be that way, a little bit more calm, not express too much of my emotions,” she said in a press conference at Lancaster Country Club Tuesday.

“I think that’s how I learned to play. I didn’t try to do that, but that just came naturally to play well.”

Not much was decided here Thursday. Not much usually is on major championship Thursdays Especially when the first round isn’t even complete, as it wasn’t here, as of press time, due to a violent thunderstorm that touched down on the property around 6 p.m.

But you know the cliche: You can’t win golf tournaments on Thursday, but you can lose them.

Familiar names like Suzann Pettersen (79), Jessica Korda (78), and Christie Kerr (six over through 15 probably did.

Park, two under through 14, did not.

She was not Hogan-esque, hitting just eight of 14 greens, and six of 11 fairways. She also didn’t get the break of playing early, which was a real one. and an important part of the round-one story.

After seven-plus inches of rain had soaked the golf course over the last five weeks, and after watching player after player hitting 3-woods and hybrids into par-4s during three days of practice rounds, the U.S.G.A. gave us a short, receptive Lancaster Country Club Thursday morning, and people pounced.

The scorecard yardage for Thursday’s set-up was 6,353, and even that was deceptive, since some of the holes where the tees were back – the par-5 13th and par-4 16th, for example – involve layups.

The par-4 18th, potentially bearish, played to just 415, or, according to notes the U.S.G.A. released, “22 paces forward of where the tee sign has been during the practice rounds.”

Morgan Pressel, longer than she used to be but no Laura Davies, played the longer, and supposedly tougher, back nine in 32. Co-leaders Marina Alex and Karie Webb, who shot 66, missed a combined one fairway and two greens in regulation.

Pressel, Alex, Webb, Amy Yang (67) and almost all the leaders played early.

Again, Park did not. She right there. A win here would be her seventh major. This is her third stint as world No. 1.

“I don’t feel that much pressure anymore,” she said. “I feel like No. 1 or 2, what’s the difference?”

Really? You could argue that different is what sports is about.

She wouldn’t argue back. Can’t imagine her arguing, ever, about anything.

“I don’t need to show anybody anything,” she said. “I just try to play my own golf, not do something for other people. The more you get to experience this spot, the more that I experience it, you’re just another golfer.”

Inbee Park and Hyo Joo Kim and caddies, try to keep cool as the wait to hit their tee shots on number seven during the opening round of the US Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club on Thursday, July 9, 2015. (Photo/Suzette Wenger)