With a typically classy finish, Minjee Lee has fired an ominous early warning to her rivals at the Women’s British Open in Wales.
Australia’s resurgent superstar negotiated some wild and windy morning conditions to post a solid first-round two-under-par 70 to sit just one shot behind the first-round clubhouse leaders.
Bidding to complete women’s golf’s grand slam with a fourth career major after winning last month’s PGA Championship, Lee offset three bogeys with five birdies at Royal Porthcawl GC on Thursday.
After a disappointing six on the reachable par-5 13th, Lee rebounded with a brilliant sand-save birdie on the last hole to be sitting tied for seventh after the morning wave of starters.
Japanese trio Chisato Iwai, Shiho Kuwaki and Mao Saigo all carded 69s to share the clubhouse lead at three under par, one stroke ahead of Lee, Thai world No.2 Jeeno Thitikul, Americans Andrea Lee and Amy Yang and Swede Ingrid Lindblad.
Grace Kim held her nerve down the stretch to remain in contention at Royal Porthcawl. (AP PHOTO)
“I don’t think I’m going to complain with a two-under start,” Lee said.
“Some of the holes are just beasts out there.
“Sometimes you’ve got to take what you get and just make a bogey and get out of there and reset, try and make better score on the next hole.
“It’s a major championship. You”re going to make bogeys. Just try to keep your emotions in check and take it one shot at a time.”
Lee’s in-form compatriot Grace Kim, one of nine Australians featuring at golf’s final major of the year, was also well positioned just two shots off the clubhouse lead when she signed for a one-under 71.
After backing up Lee’s PGA Championship win in June to give Australia two consecutive major victories with a stunning finish at the Evian Championship, Kim held her nerve down the stretch on Thursday to stay in the mix.
Kim was one over par at the turn before collecting two birdies on the back nine to remain in the mix for back-to-back majors.
Fellow 24-year-old Australian super talent Gabriela Ruffels joined Kim at one under with a birdie at the last.
But out-of-form world No.11 Hannah Green is almost certain to miss the halfway cut after opening with a seven-over 79 shocker.
