Major test off to stormy but protest-free start
Feng tops at Trump National, Henderson four back after rain-shortened opening day
BEDMINSTER, N.J.— Shanshan Feng had her best round in the U.S. Women’s Open, and the first-round lead.
Afternoon rain and lightning forced officials to suspend play for more than two hours Thursday in the biggest event in women’s golf, and play was stopped because of darkness with 39 players still on the course. They will return early Friday to complete the round at Trump National Golf Course.
The weather was the only hitch for the players and the USGA, which took a lot of criticism for failing to move the $5-million event to another course after comments by President Donald Trump about women.
The president’s son Eric Trump mingled with fans during the round and hinted to the Hackensack, N.J. Record that his dad might swing by on the weekend.
Despite fears of protests, day one was uneventful. There were no demonstrators. The golf was excellent and Feng was outstanding, shooting a 6-under 66 in a tournament in which she has rarely played well in her10 seasons as a professional in the United States.
It marked the first time the 27-yearold from China broke 70 in 42 Open rounds.
Amy Yang of South Korea, who has had two seconds, a third and a fourth in this event in the last five years, was a shot behind.
Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., is the top Canadian with a 2under 70. Amateur Maddie Szeryk of London, Ont., is even while Hamilton’s Alena Sharp opened with a 4over 76.
Lydia Ko of New Zealand played in the same threesome with Feng and was tied for third at 68 with topranked So Yeon Ryu of South Korea.
Carlota Ciganda also was 4 under with a hole left. She would have to eagle the par-5 18th to get a share of the lead.
Former Open winner Cristie Kerr, who played with back spasms, and Megan Khang were the best U.S. finishers at 69.
Feng, who has never finished better than fourth in the Open (2012), start- ed her round on the 10th hole and played the back side in 5 under, rolling in five birdies. She added another at No. 1and then parred her last eight holes.
“I started the round very great,” said Feng, who lipped out on two birdie putts on her final nine. “I mean I had three birdies in the first four holes and then after that I mean I just felt so comfortable about everything.”
Feng had to push it to get to Trump National. She played in a tourna- ment in China that was run by her sponsor last week and her flight to Beijing was delayed.
She did not arrive in New Jersey until around noon Monday, and did more sleeping than playing over the next three days. Everything worked out Thursday. “I just had a great day so hopefully the next three days that I can perform well also and let’s see what happens,” said Feng, who has a win and three other top-10 finishes this season.
Yang had six birdies and a bogey in her round. She took advantage of the back nine, playing it in 4 under.
The 27-year-old who now calls Orlando, Fla., home, refused to say this would be the year she won the Open.
“I’ll keep trying,” she said. “I’m playing good, you know, played good lately and I’m hitting the ball solid and making some putts, you know. I’m going to do same things, you know, next three days and see what happened.”