England’s Mel Reid opened with a 67 and shares the day-one lead of the 2021 U.S. Women’s Open with American amateur Megha Ganne.
Playing in front of a sparse crowd of masked-up fans at The Olympic Club in San Francisco, Calif., the veteran Reid produced a round which included five birdies against one bogey to reach the marquee position at 4-under par.
“I didn’t think that score was out there honestly,” said Reid. “Yeah, I had a pretty good game plan. It’s probably the best I’ve had for a tournament.
“We had a game plan and stuck to it. If you’re in trouble, just get it out, make bogey.
“I think the key here is to not take many risks the first two, three days, and I didn’t do that.”
The 17-year-old amateur Ganne, who’s competing in her second national championship, joined Reid with an afternoon round comprised of six birdies and two bogeys.
“I think just knowing that everyone in the field has to deal with it,” said Ganne.
“And whoever makes the smartest choices out of there and picks the best lines and doesn’t take unnecessary risks is going to be the person who ends up better off.
“So I was like, just be that person.”
Canadian Brooke Henderson was next at T3 on 3-under par, alongside Angel Yin and Megan Khang.
2021 U.S. Women’s Open
Top-5 Leaders: Round One
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 1)
1. Mel Reid -4 (67)
1. Megha Ganne -4 (67)
3. Brooke Henderson -3 (68)
3. Angel Yin -3 (68)
3. Megan Khang -3 (68)
