Golf

Japan’s Uehara leads British Open

Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow posts opening round of 77 to trail leader by nine

Stephanie Meadow: struggled on first day and is five over par. Photograph: Getty Images
Stephanie Meadow: struggled on first day and is five over par. Photograph: Getty Images
Fri Jul 11 2014 - 01:00

Japan's Ayako Uehara mastered the windy conditions at Royal Birkdale to lead after the opening round of the Ricoh Women's British Open on Thursday.

Uehara recovered from a bogey on her first hole to fire five birdies in an opening four-under-par 68, finishing one shot ahead of American Mo Martin.

Martin birdied three of the last five holes to return a 69, with compatriots Mina Harigae and Morgan Pressel and Australian Sarah Kemp another shot back on two under.

World number one and defending champion Stacy Lewis returned a 71, matched by England’s Holly Clyburn as only nine players broke par and more than a dozen took more than 80. Scotland’s Kylie Walker birdied the last for an 82.

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US Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie could only manage a three-over-par 75.

“I definitely felt like my tempo was a little bit off,” said Wie. “I just didn’t hit good shots today but it’s a long way until Sunday. It could have been a lot worse.”

Solheim Cup star Charley Hull returned a 73 while 50-year-old Laura Davies finished double bogey, bogey, birdie in a 75.

Ireland's Stephanie Meadow, who has been in such good form of late, struggled to an opening round of 77, five over par to trail the leader by nine.

John Deere Classic

Former champion and local favourite

Zach Johnson

charged into a share of the early lead with a sizzling, bogey-free display in yesterday’s opening round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Illinois.

Winner of the PGA Tour event in 2012, the 38-year-old fired an eight-under-par 63 in ideal scoring conditions at the TPC Deere Run to end the round level with fellow American Brian Harman and South African Rory Sabbatini.

Johnson, with his driving and renowned short game in sparkling order, covered his outward nine in an explosive six-under 30 to raise thoughts of a possible 59 but he picked up just two more shots after the turn.

American Todd Hamilton, surprise winner of the 2004 British Open held at Royal Troon, and Australian Steve Bowditch opened with 64s while Zimbabwe‘s Brendon de Jonge and American Kevin Tway carded 65s.