Smith and Lee in uncharted territory as they share three-way lead
The sun shone brightly at rainsoaked Shoal Creek. So did Ariya Jutanugarn, Sarah Jane Smith and Jeongeun Lee.
Jutanugarn, Smith and Lee each shot a 5-under 67 on Thursday to share the firstround lead at the US Women’s Open. Thailand’s Jutanugarn spent hours in front before Smith and Lee caught her in the evening.
Jutanugarn is coming off a Kingsmill Championship win and kept up the momentum, including an eagle at the sixth. She said she started focusing more on each shot instead of worrying about the big picture.
“At Kingsmill, I started [saying] I’m not going to think about the outcome,” the eighttime LPGA Tour winner said. “I’m not going to think about winning the tournament.”
Jutanugarn and the Australian Smith each had an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys. The Korean Lee, meanwhile, had five birdies on a course that has been drenched in recent weeks, forcing the cancellation of Tuesday’s practice round and limiting course time on the eve of the tournament.
Smith and Lee have never won on the LPGA Tour. Now they find themselves in the unfamiliar position of sharing the lead at a major championship – and trying not to get caught up in it.
“It’s pretty early,” Smith said. “I think later on in the week it might be easier to get ahead of yourself. [Friday] morning I have got to make sure that it’s just a new day and not worry too much about where I am. Whether that’s possible, I don’t know. I would like to say that.” Lee, pictured wasn’t getting carried away either. “Well, it’s just the first round, just started it,” she said.
Lee parred the first five holes before heating up. She had arrived last Wednesday from Korea and played nine holes several times.
“My main strategy was not to have a bogey and I think that worked and also when I went to a more difficult situation I try not to get into trouble,” she said. “I stay out of it.”
Scotland’s Catriona Matthew carded a two-over-par 74 following her first round while double-bogeysonthethirdand ninth yesterday marred her second round as she posted a three-over 75 which left her in a tie for 90th spot as she entered the clubhouse.