Michelle Wie Breaks Course Record To Lead Women's British Open

The American had nine birdies in her eight under 64 on Thursday

(Image credit: Getty Images)

The American leads after day one at Kingsbarns thanks to a new course record 64

Michelle Wie Breaks Course Record To Lead Women's British Open

2014 US Women's Open champion Michelle Wie stole the show on day one of the 2017 Women's British Open after shooting a new course record eight under par 64.

The American was one over after three holes after bogeying the par-5 2nd.

She thinned a lob wedge through the back of the green from a "perfect" lay up, but then caught fire with nine birdies to lead after the first round.

KINGSBARNS, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 03: Michelle Wie of the United States plays her second shot on the fourth hole during the first round of the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links, on August 3, 2017 in Kingsbarns, Scotland. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

After her round, Wie said, "The fact that they said I got the course record, that's a huge honour for me, especially at a place like Kingsbarns.

Related: Kingsbarns Golf Links course review

“It’s so gorgeous here.

“When the weather is nice, it almost felt like I was playing back home in Hawaii with the views and everything. I feel like I got extremely lucky with the conditions out there.”

She leads by one from In-Kyung Kim, with Lindy Duncan a further stroke back at six under.

England's Mel Reid shot five under par to sit in a tie for fourth after day one.

Michelle Wie Breaks Course Record To Lead Women's British Open

The 29-year-old had seven birdies and two bogeys on her way to an opening 67.

Reid's compatriot Jodi Ewart Shadoff is also at five under.

World number two Lexi Thompson was another to card a five under 67.

Dame Laura Davies is at four under, alongside Charley Hull.

It wasn't the day for home favourite Catriona Matthew who came in with a four over 76.

The 2009 Women's British Open winner was three over after three and then four over after seven, before 11 closing pars.

Sweden's Anna Nordvqist, who didn't even know if she'd play after being diagnosed with glandular fever, shot a superb four under par 68.

The number one ranked amateur Leona Maguire, from Ireland, carded a three under 69.

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Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV