Korda shares lead at Women’s Open

World No. 1 and Olympic champion Nelly Korda was one of three co-leaders after the first round of the British Women’s Open at Carnoustie in Scotland on Thursday.

The American carded eight birdies on her way to a 5-under 67 to top the leaderboard with Sweden’s Madelene Sagstrom, who dropped a shot at the 18th.

South Korea’s Kim Seiyoung joined them after her round of 67 featured only one bogey.

Korda is bidding to continue a sensational year having won the PGA Championship and Olympic gold, although she admitted after her round she was feeling a little jaded.

“Honestly, we didn’t have much wind today. It was very chilly in the morning but other than that the wind kept calm and I took advantage of it,” Korda told Sky Sports. “I am a little tired but I will still give it my all these next few days.”

Korda’s compatriot Andrea Lee, ranked 143rd in the world, finished in a chasing group at 4-under with England’s Georgia Hall, Scotland’s Louise Duncan and Yuka Saso of the Philippines. The lone Canadian in the field, Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., finished the day tied for 23rd at 1-under.

THOMAS, RAHM ON TOP IN N.J.

Justin Thomas and Spain’s Jon Rahm separated themselves from the pack late in the first round and carded rounds of 8-under 63 to share a three-shot lead Thursday at the Northern Trust at Liberty National in Jersey City, N.J.

They lead Harold Varner III by three shots. Behind Varner is a six-way tie at 4-under that includes Australian veteran Adam Scott and Mackenzie Hughes of Dundas, Ont.

Corey Conners of Listowel, Ont., opened with a 1-under 70, while Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C, sat at 4-over and Roger Sloan of Merritt, B.C., at 8-over.