Ko makes promising start

The early signs are good as Lydia Ko returned to form in the opening round of the US Women’s Open with a four-under-par 68.

The world No 4 shot six birdies and two bogeys to sit in a tie for third when play was suspended at Trump National Golf Club in New Jersey yesterday.

Ko said she was feeding off the confidence of playing partner, China’s Shanshan Feng, who shot a bogey-free six-under 66 to lead by a shot from Amy Yang.

‘‘It’s good to be able to play alongside her so I can feed off her and I think we had a couple of holes where the whole group birdied and it’s nice when you can get into that momentum,’’ Ko said.

‘‘I think she’s one of the most consistent players on tour. Her swing, her putting, there’s not a lot that can go wrong with it and when you’re that type of player you’re always giving yourself as many opportunities as you can.

‘‘When I was playing her with, every birdie opportunity she had she pretty much made 99 per cent of them and I think that’s why she was able to play so well.’’

Despite finishing with a bogey on hole nine, Ko, who hasn’t won an LPGA event for almost a year, described her opening round as ‘‘one of the best’’ she’s had to kick off a US Women’s Open. ‘‘I’ll take this 68,’’ she said. ‘‘During major championships you have to stay patient and you have to stay positive and really focus on those points and not get too carried away about the bogeys because it’s very likely that you will make some along the way.’’

Ko’s work with her new putting coach is already paying dividends with her flat stick saving her round.

While she drove well, hitting 11 of 14 fairways, she missed eight greens but kept getting up and down, taking just 24 putts.

Those who teed off early were fortunate.

There was a storm delay in the afternoon with play resuming on a soggy course amid occasional showers.

Play was stopped for the day by darkness with the last group having six holes to finish

Meanwhile, Ryan Fox carded an even-par 72 at the Scottish Open to be tied 54th.

His round was far from even, however, with Fox recording an eagle, four birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey at Dundonald Links.

On the PGA Tour, Danny Lee withdrew from the John Deere Classic after a three-over 74.

Steve Alker also shot a 74 and is tied for 134th, while Palmerston North’s Tim Wilkinson had a twounder 69 to be tied 37th place.

Lee, who is the second alternate for the British Open at Royal Birkdale next week, said he was disappointed to withdraw due to shoulder and wrist injuries.

Lee carded an opening round of three-over-par 74 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois, before confirming his withdrawal.

‘‘Sorry everyone I can’t keep going this with shoulder and wrist injury @JDCLASSIC not happy I have to WD this week,’’ he wrote on Twitter.

What that means for his potential appearance in the Open Championship in a week’s time is unclear.

Lee was listed as second alternate this week for the 146th edition of the tournament, to be played at Royal Birkdale in England from Thursday night (NZT).

That means the world No 76 needs two players already in the field to withdraw to join compatriots Fox and Michael Hendry in the field.

With no indication of how serious his injury is, Lee could potentially be saving himself in the hope of recovering in time for The Open if he gets a start.

It’s not the first time Lee has withdrawn mid-tournament amid a punishing schedule which makes him one of the busiest players on tour.