World number one Nelly Korda had an opening round to forget at the US Women’s Open as she carded a 10-over-par 80 – including a septuple-bogey 10 on the par-three 12th hole.
The American, 25, started the day at Lancaster Country Club in Pennsylvania as the overwhelming favourite to claim her first US Open after winning six of her past seven tournaments.
Japan’s Yuka Saso, 22, leads by one shot after firing a two-under 68 – one of just four players to better par on the first day.
French amateur Adela Cernousek, American Andrea Lee and Thailand’s Wichanee Meechai all shot a one-under 69.
Korda began on the back nine and her challenge was derailed by her first three holes as she made a bogey at the 10th before finding water three times on the 161-yard 12th.
Her tee shot sailed over the green into a bunker and her recovery rolled into the creek fronting the green.
She found water twice more after penalty drops before finally managing to hit the green with her chip and two-putting for a 10.
“I just didn’t really want to shoot 80 and I just kept making bogeys,” Korda said. “I’m human. I’m going to have bad days. I played some really solid golf up to this point. Today was just a bad day. That’s all I can say.”
Korda, who won this year’s first major at the Chevron Championship, is near the bottom of the leaderboard, 12 shots off the lead.
However, it was a day when only 14 golfers managed par or better and such has been Korda’s form this season, she will fancy her chances of still making the cut then moving through the field on the weekend.
England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff is two over while Ireland’s Leona Maguire finished a shot behind on 73, yet with scoring so high, both players are firmly in contention.
European Solheim Cup star Linn Grant of Sweden is also two over, as are former Women’s British Open champion Sophia Popov of Germany, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda and Celine Boutier of France.
England’s Charley Hull is five over while Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh, England’s Georgia Hall and English amateur Lottie Woad – winner of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur – are all seven over.
