NEWPORT, Rhode Island (Ticker) - Annika Sorenstam tamed difficult afternoon conditions to join a four-way tie for the lead after Friday's opening round of the U.S. Women's Open.
The Swede, who has been slightly off her game this year after dominating the previous five seasons on the LPGA Tour, issued a reminder that she is not washed up with a stellar 2-under-par 69 in testing afternoon winds at Newport Country Club.
Sorenstam is tied with Se Ri Pak, Pat Hurst and amateur Jane Park, one shot ahead of a large group including Michelle Wie.
Wie birdied the final hole to edge within one shot of the lead. The 16-year-old, competing in her fourth U.S. Open, had just one bogey in an impressive 1-under 70.
"My round wasn't perfect today so I'm not absolutely happy with it but I felt I had a very solid round, lots of pars, and that's what the U.S. Open is, you have to have pars," Wie said. "I hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens and I know it's going to get better and better, so I think that's a good opening round."
There are three Canadians in the field. Lorie Kane shot a 2-over 73 and sits in a tie for 29th. Dawn Coe-Jones is tied for 40th at 3-over and Alena Sharp shot a 6-over 77 and is well back in a tie for 93rd.
Lorena Ochoa, this year's leading money winner, was just two shots behind the leaders, while Karrie Webb recovered from a poor start to trail by four.
After thick fog prevented any play on Thursday, the tournament finally began under sunny skies, 24 hours behind schedule. Overnight thunderstorms dumped more rain on the already soggy course, but at least the storms blew away the fog, much to everyone's relief.
Without any further delays, the event should finish on time, with the final 36 holes scheduled for Sunday.