Henderson grinds out 73 on opening day

RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — As Brooke Henderson’s four-foot birdie putt slid agonizingly by the cup on the par-5 11th hole at Mission Hills Country Club on Thursday, the sirens from emergency vehicles wailed from a nearby road.

At times during her 1-over par 73 in the first round of the ANA Inspiration, the LPGA Tour’s first major of the year, it looked as if Henderson’s game might be in need of resuscitation, but the 19-year-old from Smiths Falls, Ont., gritted it out.

France’s Karine Icher had the early lead with a 5-under 67 in morning play. Four golfers were one stroke back, including Michelle Wie and 17-year-old amateur Eun Jeong Seong.

Defending champion Lydia Ko was 2 under through five holes before high winds forced the LPGA to suspend play for the day.

A 73 might not look pretty, especially after playing in the morning at the 6,763-yard Mission Hills Country Club when the winds were at bay and the greens were fresh, but it could have been worse.

A 20-foot birdie putt on the par3 17th hole allowed Henderson to put a bandage on the day. She’s still on the critical list when it comes to making the cut and playing on the weekend, but she gave herself something positive to finish an up and down day.

“That birdie on 17 definitely helps a round out and hopefully if I can get it back to even early in the round (Friday), then hopefully I can get under par,” said the 13th ranked player in the world.

“I hit some really good shots and not so good. It’s just kind of one of those days.”

She’s been having a few of those lately. She shot 75 and 74 to miss the cut last week at the Kia Classic, just the third time she hasn’t played on the weekend since turning pro.

Henderson had slipped into a tie for 64th at Mission Hills, six shots off the lead, as the winds forced the stoppage during the afternoon draw.

“There were a lot of low scores this morning and I think I should have taken advantage a little bit more,” said Henderson. “Hopefully it won’t be too windy (Friday) afternoon and I can get off to a faster start.”

Maude-Aimee Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., had a 7-over par 79 which included a quintuple bogey 8 at the watery par-3 14th hole while Alena Sharp of Hamilton was sitting at plus 3 through 12 holes when the round was suspended.