Pornanong is perfect
Thai steals the thunder of world No.1 and compatriot Ariya with a five-under 67 in British Open
>> LYTHAM ST ANNES: Pornanong Phatlam shot a bogey-free five-under-par 67 to stay two shots off the lead after the first round of the Women’s British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes on Thursday.
With all eyes on Ariya Jutanugarn as she bids to win her second Women’s British Open title, it was the world No.1’s Thai compatriot Pornanong who emerged as a title contender after an impressive five-birdie round that left her in a tie for third place alongside Georgia Hall, Park Sung-Hyun, Teresa Lu and Lee Mi-Hyang.
Australia’s Minjee Lee packed six birdies and an eagle into a round of seven-under-par 65 to lead by one shot from Mamiko Higa of Japan.
By the luck of the draw, the 22-yearold from Perth missed the morning rain and she made the most of the sunny and relatively benign conditions to finish atop the leaderboard.
Now she’s hoping to go on and complete an impressive fortnight in by going one better than last week’s runner-up spot behind Ariya in the Ladies Scottish Open at Gullane.
“I had a really fun time in Scotland and playing on another links course has definitely helped me coming into this major,” said Lee.
“I’ve had a pretty good season with lots of top 10s and the key today was that I stayed out of too much trouble.
“I was in four bunkers but managed to hole a few longish putts — overall it was pretty good.”
Kim In-Kyung, the defending champion, had a 70, while top-ranked Ariya, who won the title in 2016, hit a one-under-par 71 and two shots behind her older sister, Moriya.
New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, the twotime major winner and former world No.1, kept in contention for a first British Open with a 68.
It was a good bounce back for the 21-year-old, who missed the cut at the Scottish Open.
“I actually played OK, but couldn’t hole a putt last week,” she said. “It ended up being quite funny because it was so bad.”
England’s Florentyna Parker had a hole-in-one at the ninth — an eight iron from 140 yards — and she went on to shoot a fine 69.
Meanwhile, Michelle Wie said she was “devastated” after a longstanding hand injury forced her to pull out.
Playing in frequent rain showers, the American was seven over after 12 holes before deciding she could not continue.
“I’ve been doing everything humanly possible to get my hand healthy enough to play this week,” she said on Twitter. “But it wasn’t enough. I gave it my all today, but I couldn’t stand the pain any longer. “I’m devastated to have to pull out mid-round.”