Fierce winds big obstacle
American Olson grabs early advantage
TROON, Scotland — Fences blew over behind Alena Sharp as she warmed up for her 6.30 a.m. start.
Nelly Korda’s opening drive went 187 yards and the fierce wind meant she had a hard time just walking the first three holes.
Buffeted by a gust on the 11th green, Lexi Thompson stepped back from a bogey putt, looked at her caddie, and had a wry laugh.
The opening round of the first women’s major of a pandemic-affected year was a slog for many of the world’s biggest names Thursday at Royal Troon.
For Amy Olson, though, it was a stroll.
The American was the only player to shoot below 70 in what some said was a fourclub wind on the famous links in Eastern Scotland, her 4-under 67 earning her a threestroke lead.
“It was the best ball-striking day of my life,” said Olson, who grew up hitting a low ball in strong winds in North Dakota, standing her in good stead for links play. “But I can’t even describe how difficult it was out there.”
Only two others in the 144player field — Sophia Popov of Germany and Marina Alex of the United States — shot under par, both with rounds of 70.
“It was brutal,” said Popov, who was playing in 117 degrees Fahrenheit in Arizona last week and only arrived in Scotland on Tuesday.
Danielle Kang would agree. The in-form player — and, at No. 2, the highest-ranked competitor at Troon this week — finished eagle-birdie-birdie just to shoot 76 along with defending champion Hinako Shibuno of Japan.
Stacy Lewis, the 2013 champion at St. Andrews, had the same score after arriving on the back of a win across the country at the Ladies Scottish Open on Sunday.
Thompson, an American ranked No. 10, dropped five shots in two holes on Nos. 11 and 12, and had a 78.
The conditions at an event being played in an isolated environment because of the pandemic were worse for the morning starters, who encountered winds of up to 50 mph. For some, it was four seasons in one day.
Olson went out in the afternoon and made only one bogey, on the par-4 third hole. She responded by chipping in for birdie at No. 4 and hitting to within a foot with an 8-iron from 191 yards for another at No. 6. Another birdie arrived at No. 11, before her tee shot at the par-3 14th hole settled 3 feet from the cup for another birdie. Her fifth birdie came at No. 16.