MINA HARIGAE sits atop the leaderboard after the opening round of the US Women’s Open despite a historic performance from Swedish amateur Ingrid Lindblad.
The 22-year-old Lindblad fired the lowest score by an amateur in the event’s history to set the early clubhouse lead at Pine Needles, before being eclipsed by the American’s superb 64.
Playing alongside her idol Annika Sorenstam, Lindblad carded seven birdies and one bogey in an opening six-under-par 65, surpassing the previous best of 66 which has been achieved three times, most recently by Gina Kim in 2019.
“I hit a few shots close to the pin and then my putting was great today,” Lindblad said. “Made a few par saves and made a few putts for birdies. It just worked from fairway to green.
“I felt like the course would be a little bit more narrow. I missed a few tee shots today that I thought would be a little bit more off, but then I get to the ball and I’m like, oh, it’s fine.
“The green areas were tough. You had to hit the right section of the green to not run off the slopes and everything. It’s a great US Open course.”
England’s Bronte Law carded three birdies and a bogey en route to a two-under 69 – one shot ahead of Ireland’s Leona Maguire.
