Wie takes one-shot lead at British Open

Finishing fast after a slow start, Michelle Wie birdied her last three holes Thursday for an 8under 64 for a one-shot lead in the Women’s British Open.

Wie bogeyed the par-5 second hole at Kingsbarns Links in St. Andrews, Scotland, and that was the last of her mistakes.

The 27-year-old American shot 30 on the back nine and wound up one shot ahead of I.K. Kim of South Korea.

Lindy Duncan was another shot behind at 66, with Lexi Thompson among those at 67.

Wie, showing no sign of the neck spasms that forced her to withdraw from last month’s U.S Women’s Open, posted nine birdies during a morning round.

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

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

PGA Tour-WGC: Thomas Pieters rolled in a 30foot birdie putt on his final hole for a 5-under 65 that gave him a one-shot lead in the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

Russell Knox had a 66 with a bogey on his final hole.

Rory McIlroy got by just fine with his best friend as his caddie, opening with a 67, his lowest opening round in America since February 2016. McIlroy split with his caddie of nine years after the British Open.

Also at 67 was Jordan Spieth, feeling so confident about his game that on one shot he asked his caddie how he should escape trouble from the trees.

Before Michael Greller could answer, Spieth told him to stand aside and watch. He hit through a tiny gap onto the green.