July 9, 2015
Former Vanderbilt star Marina Alex is tied atop the individual leaderboard with Hall of Famer Karrie Webb at the U.S. Women’s Open after firing a first-round four-under par, 66, Thursday at the Lancaster (Pa.) Country Club. Play was suspended due to weather at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, with the last groups having seven holes remaining in their first rounds, which will be completed on Friday morning.
Alex, playing in her second U.S. Open and first as a professional, birdied three of her last five holes on Thursday.
“I was patient the first nine holes and didn’t have perfect numbers. But, I was able to hit shots with in-between numbers with soft irons,” said Alex. “I made some good putts. I missed a short putt on one for birdie, and made a really nice putt on four to get me to two-under, which propelled me for the rest of the round.”
Alex and Webb have a one-shot lead on Amy Yang, Na Yeon Choi, and Jane Park, who are all tied for third at three-under par. Choi has played 15 holes, while Park has played 13.
“It’s hard to go into the open with any expectations, so I was just going out there to put my best game together, and this is what I got,” said Alex. “I was very pleased with it.”
Alex is scheduled to tee off at 1:03 p.m. ET on Friday off of the first tee.
