Hot-finishing Hurst shares Women's Open lead with Oh as stars struggle

6/27/2008

EDINA, Minn. (AP) -- Gathering clouds gave way to sunshine, the first of many surprises Thursday in a U.S. Women's Open that didn't go the way anyone expected, least of all Pat Hurst.

Her day had a happy ending, one last birdie for a 6-under 67 and a share of the lead with Ji Young Oh.

Annika Sorenstam twice made back-to-back bogeys and wound up with a 75, her highest first-round score in a Women's Open since she opened with a 76 in 1992 at Oakmont when she was a 22-year-old amateur.

Lorena Ochoa and Cristie Kerr, who have combined to win three of the last four LPGA majors, played alongside an 18-year-old freshman at UCLA and couldn't keep up.

Maria Jose Uribe of Colombia, the Women's Amateur champion, showed passion and fist pumps and hardly any fear on her way to a 4-under 69 that kept the gallery riveted. 

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1.  Ji Young Oh                           67 - 6
     Pat Hurst                               67 - 6
3.  Song-Hee Kim                        68 - 5
4.  Maria Jose Uribe (am.)            69 - 4
     Louise Friberg                        69 - 4
     Ji-Yai Shin                             69 - 4
7.  Catriona Matthew                    70 - 3
     Laura Davies                          70 - 3
     Helen Alfredsson                    70 - 3
     Paula Creamer                       70 - 3
     Linda Wessberg                      70 - 3

21. Jessica Korda (am.)                72 - 1

Source: AP, LPGA Tour