ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — I.K. Kim, the best player in women’s golf right now, emerged from the cold and wet with a 4-under 68 to build a two-shot lead in the Women’s British Open going into the weekend.
A two-time winner on the LPGA Tour over the last two months, Kim dropped only one shot in some of the worst conditions at Kingsbarns Links and reached the halfway point at 11-under 133. She was two shots clear of Lexi Thompson and Georgia Hall of England.
Kim displayed a remarkable fortitude in weather that veered erratically toward the end of the day between bright sunshine and torrential downpours. The 29-year-old from South Korea atoned for her lone bogey with three birdies and an eagle on the 538-yard 11th hole.
“The eagle was very unexpected,” Kim said. “I think this was kind of as bad as the weather could get. I expected rain, but not like this. It’s not easy to play in this kind of weather. But I feel really good about my game. I’ve been hitting the ball very well and I’m starting to make some putts. That’s when I shoot low scores.”
Thompson, the No. 2 player in the world, also shot a 68.
Two-over par and birdie-free after nine-holes, the big-hitting Floridian played the homeward nine in 30 with six birdies – five in succession.
First-round leader Michelle Wie was seven back after a 76.
PGA: Jimmy Walker endured rain delays of nearly five hours and shot a 5-under 65 to build a two-shot lead at the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Walker finally saw some good results in a year marked by coping with Lyme disease and bouts of fatigue. The timing couldn’t be better for Walker, who defends his PGA Championship title next week.
He made birdie from short range on both par 3s on the back nine at Firestone and finished two rounds at 7-under 133.
Thomas Pieters of Belgium missed a 6-foot birdie chance on the 18th hole and shot 70. He was two shots behind.
Rory McIlroy had a 69 and was among those three shots behind, while Jordan Spieth finished with two straight birdies and was four behind.
CHAMPIONS TOUR: Kenny Perry opened with six consecutive birdies and shot a 7-under 65 to hold a share of the lead after the first round of the 3M Championship in Blaine, Minnesota.
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