Ladies Day

I only saw about an hour of the Women's Open yesterday, but it looks to be another good week for the ladies.  A leaderboard populated with names such as Lewis, Wie, Choi and Webb is very promising, so fingers crossed that the broadcast will draw some eyeballs.

Everyone's favorite 11-year old got off to a disastrous start, as recounted by Will Gray:

The 11-year-old got off to a rocky start with a double bogey on her opening hole, but she

steadied herself from there and made a pair of birdies on her second nine. 

The score left her 11 shots off the lead set by Stacy Lewis (67), but Li was still one shot better than both Natalie Gulbis, a former winner on the LPGA, and Jessica Korda, who has two victories to her credit this season. 

“I’m happy with how I played,” Li said. “I mean, it’s 8 over, it’s not bad. But I was 7 over in three holes, so that’s 1 over in 15 holes. So, yeah. I just need to get rid of the big numbers.”

She quickly followed the double with a bogey on No. 13 and another double on the difficult 16th, but managed to make a couple of birdies on her second nine to keep things from getting out of hand.  There was a triple on the short 3rd hole as well, but she obviously over-performed expectations, especially considering that she barely carries her drives 200 yards.

Then she charmed everyone yet again at her post-round presser, eating ice cream as she answered questions.  Here's Brian Bush, a Pinehurst caddie, talking about his young charge:

Adam Schupak drew the Michelle Wie beat:

It should come as no surprise that the girl who once wanted to play with the boys is near the top of the leaderboard at Pinehurst No. 2, where the U.S. Open was held a week ago. 

On another hot and steamy day in the Sandhills of North Carolina, Michelle Wie carded five birdies en route to a round of 2-under 68 at the U.S. Women’s Open, just one stroke off the pace set by World No. 1 Stacy Lewis. Perhaps no one has embraced the USGA’s “grand experiment” of back-to-back Opens at Pinehurst quite like Wie. 

“I love that we are playing on the same stage as the men,” Wie said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for us to show everyone how great we are because we can directly compare ourselves with the men.”

I caught the first hour of the ESPN2 broadcast, and in the few holes I saw her play she looked God-awful with the putter.  So much so that even Theresa was aghast.... Didn't like her chances at all, but she obviously turned it around.

Stacey Lewis is auditioning for the role of Martin Kaymer at this week's performance, with a bogey-free 67. Per Beth Ann Nichols' game piece:

“It was such an easy day,” said Lewis, who hit 17 greens and 13 fairways. 

Before she teed off, Lewis’ coach Joe Hallett said to her: “Remember, brains equals birdies, and you've got a lot of brains.” 

Hallett said Lewis came into the day already patient. She signed every autograph she could during practice rounds (building karma, as Lewis called it). Actually, Lewis found out earlier this year in Phoenix that the more she interacts with young fans, the more relaxed she feels and the better she plays.

Don't know how anybody could possibly hit 17 of THOSE greens...I mean hit and hold, of course.  

Lastly, my dear sweet Lydia had a tough day, posting a 6-over 76.  I of course blame Fluff.