Loads of contenders! Weird tee shots! What do we make of U.S. Women’s Open?

The U.S. Women’s Open began Thursday at Erin Hills in bucolic Erin, Wis., and it offered stories and highlights tastier than the cheese curds on-site. (So really tasty.) After the first round’s morning wave, four players led. By the time the sun set, two more joined them. There was also ‘super-group’ play, and the usual variety of funky shots and plays that make up the national championship. 

So we’ve convened staffers Sean Zak and Nick Piastowski to digest it all. Both are on-site. Both, for whatever it’s worth, are Wisconsin natives.  

Nick Piastowski (@nickpia): Hi, Sean! Welcome home. Eighteen holes are done. Fifty-four remain. Gimme the first thought that pops into your head.

Sean Zak (@Sean_Zak): First thought? These ladies don’t know what’s coming. Well, they probably do. But today was the day to put a nice score out there because tomorrow is the day where Erin Hills (and Mother Nature) are going to punch back. Friday will bring some Scottish weather to rural Wisconsin, with serious wind and maybe some rain. The greens are fast and are getting hard to hold as it is. Even par was a solid score today. Even par is gonna be a real good score tomorrow … right? 

Piastowski: Right! Friday will be all about defense. My thought ties into the scoring. Things are BUNCHED. Over 70 players are within five shots of the top, and I don’t see anyone pulling away due to the forecast. Do you think the scoring was low, high or just about right?

Zak: When people talk early round scoring, particularly at a U.S. Open, they often forget that there are 156 players in the field, playing in threesomes, and the ideal scenario is everyone gets in the house before the sun goes down. I mean, it’s 7:30 p.m. as we’re writing this, and groups are still on the course. 

In other words, Thursday and Friday are never going to be set up for super difficult scoring. The USGA got everyone around, and it didn’t let anyone get to five-under. That’s a real solid start! So, in this longer-than-necessary, roundabout way, the answer to your question is … just about right. Tomorrow will bring a massive change to the leaderboard. 

Piastowski: As mentioned above, I’m surprised everyone was kinda about the same. Surely someone would’ve posted a 65. There are birdie holes out here. The wind was down. But yeah, Friday will see some ballooned scores. OK, best thing you saw today?

Zak: Abbey Daniel missing the par-3 6th green in a bunker right, blading her bunker shot over the green left, then holing out from 30 yards for par.

Piastowski: Two fist-bumps, on her final two holes, from Angel Yin. On the first, she had just joined the leaders at four-under, only to see a chip shot from right of the 17th green dribble back down to her feet — but then she chipped back on, made the bogey putt and celebrated. On 18, she dropped a birdie putt to rejoin the leaders and celebrated again. One of pro golf’s best personalities is zeroed in. Let’s keep the theme going. Strangest thing you saw?

Zak: Lydia Ko’s tee shot on 1. She basically topped it low and left, into the hazard on the par-5 opener. It wasn’t opening-round nerves — this was her 10th hole. This was just a truly bizarre strike that led to her walking back to the tee, dropping on the front edge of it and making a double bogey. All things considered, her 73 was solid. 

Piastowski: Yes, I saw that, too. Truly bizarre. For me, it was something I spotted on the online leaderboard — it appeared that Napat Lertsadwattana hit into the water to the right of the 9th hole. I didn’t think that was possible, but mistakes happen. Best thing you heard today?

Zak: Amari Avery’s mid-round interview. The 20-year-old who recently turned pro is famous for starring in “The Short Game” 12 years ago. Now, her game is finally outpacing the shadow of that pre-teen fame. It’s her third U.S. Women’s Open but her first as a professional. This stuff is nothing to her. 

“I’ve learned so much just being inside the ropes and feeling the ambiance of a U.S. Open,” she said. “Now, it kinda feels chill for me. I was telling my family earlier — it’s so crazy, I feel almost too chill.”

Piastowski: Good stuff. You can’t beat this quote from A Lim Kim, when asked how she got the nickname ‘Queen:’ 

“That’s a secret,” she said while laughing. “My original nickname is ‘Queen Kong.’ Do you know King Kong? So when I was young, I hit far. So everybody told me, yeah, ‘King Kong,’ but I don’t like full name, so just ‘Queen.’”

Who leads after 36?

Zak: Nasa Hataoka. 

Piastowski: A Lim Kim for me. One more question. 

Spotted Cow is … 

Zak: The sign of a true Wisconsin wedding. If they’re offering Spotted Cow at the wedding you’re at, it’s going to be a good one. 

Piastowski: Overrated! Lol. I kid. It’s the first thing I have when I come back. Talk to you Friday.   

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