Darkness forced the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open to a halt this evening. Just over 75 women completed the first round and only four of those players broke par.
Several golfers have already finished for the day including Annika Sorenstam whose round of 71 left her only two strokes behind leaders Angela Stanford (69) and amateur Brittany Lang (69). Michelle Wie is also cruising up the leaderboard currently tied for 4th place with Natalie Gulbis, Nicole Perrot and Liselotte Neumann (70) although she waits until tomorrow to finish her first round.
Could it be that Annika is feeling the pressure of amateurs Lang, Pressel and Wie? Her shaky nerves were evident today standing at the 10th tee.
The Swede discussed her jitters. “U.S. Open, a lot of people, tough golf course, a lot on my mind. I put a lot of pressure on myself. I really want to do well here. When you stand on the tee, you know you have to hit fairways. That’s double pressure right there. I’m just happy I found the rhythm in the middle.”
Sorenstam missed birdie opportunities but continued to save par with “a string of important putts” as she put it.
Everyone is feeling the pressure of playing in this very prestigious tournament. Co-leader Angela Stanford began her round scoring three birdies on the first five holes then gave them back for even par on the first nine holes. With two more birdies on the final nine holes Stanford agreed with Annika about the pressure. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said.
It’s also great to see a bit of excitement in the LPGA. Fist-pumping 17-year old amateur Morgan Pressel is currently tied with Sorenstam. Playing in the group ahead jangled Sorenstam’s nerves as Pressel birdied four out of her first five holes. As the pressure mounted, Morgan’s game disintegrated. After putting for a double-bogey at the eighth she got angry and threw her putter then covered her face with her hands. “I just let it get away,” said Pressel. “I came here to play the best I could and I did,” she said. “And then I played the worst I could.” She cried at her interview.
Natalie Gulbis (70) is in great position tied for 4th and in a select group that is under par. Defending champion Meg Mallon (71) is tied with Sorenstam at even par.
Rosie Jones (73) has finished her round and is in a logjam at 22nd place. Tied with Jones but stopped at the 16th is Cristie Kerr. Paula Creamer (74) is one stroke behind Jones and Kerr. Lorena Ochoa is tied with Creamer.
The pressure is on and will continue throughout the weekend. Will an amateur claim top honors at the U.S. Women’s Open? Or will it be another major victory on the road to a “Sorenslam” for the number-one women’s golfer?
The first round will continue at 7am on Friday and the second round will also take place. Coverage will begin on ESPN2 on Friday from 5:00pm to 9:00pm ET.
The U.S. Open can be seen on both Saturday and Sunday on NBC. The action will be televised from 3:00-6:00pm ET on both days.