Wie takes in views, lead atWomen’s British Open

ST.ANDREWS,SCOTLAND» Finishing fast after a slowstart, MichelleWie birdied her last three holes Thursday for an 8-under 64 for a one-shot lead in theWomen’s British Open.

Wie bogeyed the par-5 second hole at Kingsbarns Links, and that was the last of hermistakes. The27-year-oldAmericanshot 30 on the back nine and wound up one shot ahead of I.K. Kim of South Korea.

LindyDuncanwas another shot behind at 66, with Lexi Thompson among those at 67.

Wie, showing no sign of the neck spasms that forcedher towithdrawfromlastmonth’s U.SWomen’s Open, posted nine birdies during a morning round played in almost perfectweather on the eastern coast of Scotland.

Only later did torrential downpours and the threat of lightning twicedisruptplay for a total of 74 minutes.

Laura Davies was one who suffered from the interruptions. Six-under par through 14 holes, the 53-year old fromEngland finished in a mildly disappointing 68, the same score posted by Charley Hull, Britain’s top player.

Therewere no such problems forWie. Such was the overall serenity of her progress, the Hawaii native even had time to take in the stunning vistas acrosswhat she referred to as the “ocean,” which is actually the Tay Estuary.

Following the early dropped shot— a badly skulled lob wedge finished far over the second green — she reeled off three birdies before the turn. Over the back nine, it only got betterwith sixbirdies in thefinal eight holes.

“It’s so gorgeous here,” said Wie, who has not won since claiming the U.S Women’s Open at Pinehurst in 2014. “When the weather is nice, it almost felt like I was playingbackhome inHawaiiwith the views and everything. I feel like I got extremely lucky with the conditions out there.”

Still, no one else in the 144-player field took asmuch advantage. The lack ofwind and softness underfoot left the 6,697-yard course all but defenseless and allowed Wie to use her high-flying lofted woods to great effect.