Former champion Yuka Saso showcased her resilience and putting prowess in a challenging start to the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club. Saso navigated through a tough field and difficult conditions to finish with a 2-under 68, highlighted by crucial par saves and timely birdies.
The opening round saw only four players finish under par, with Nelly Korda enduring a disastrous 10 on her third hole. The top-ranked players struggled, with an average score of 75.5 among the top 10 in the world rankings.
Saso, the defending champion, held a one-shot lead over Andrea Lee, Wichanee Meechai, and Adela Cernousek after the first round. Cernousek, an amateur and recent NCAA champion, impressed with an even-par 70, alongside other amateur standouts like Megan Schofill and Asterisk Talley.
The challenging conditions at the U.S. Women's Open tested even the best in the field, as Lydia Ko, Brooke Henderson, and Rose Zhang struggled to post low scores. Korda, who arrived on a hot streak, faltered with an 80 after a disastrous hole early in her round.
Saso credited her putting for keeping her in contention, acknowledging the difficulty of the U.S. Open setup. The firm and fast greens, combined with swirling winds, posed a significant challenge for the field.
Despite the tough conditions, amateurs like Cernousek and Talley showed composure and skill, holding their own among the professionals. Talley, just 15 years old, displayed maturity beyond her years with smart decisions on the course.
As the tournament progresses, Saso remains focused on the task at hand, knowing that there is still a long way to go. With the leaderboard constantly changing, every player must stay composed and adapt to the demanding conditions of the U.S. Women's Open.
With the competition heating up and the stakes high, the U.S. Women's Open promises more drama and excitement in the days to come as players vie for the prestigious title.
