World No 1 amateur golfer Lydia Ko has made a solid start to the US Open Championship in Southampton, New York today.
The 16-year-old, from Gulf Harbour Country Club, has opened with an even-par 72 at the Sebonack Golf Club to be in a share of 28th place after round one of the year's third major.
The World No 16 will begin round two six shots back from South Korean Ha-Neul Kim who opened with a six-under 66 to lead by one stroke from World No 1 Inbee Park.
Ko made three birdies and a bogey on the outward nine to make the turn in two-under 33 and at that stage was inside the top 10.
She faded on the back nine with three bogeys and a birdie to come home with a two-over 39 to sign for an even par round.
The youngest winner in LPGA Tour history is playing the US Open this week after an impressive showing last week at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship where she finished tied fourth.
Ko, who is playing her fifth major championship this week at the US Open, has finished as the leading amateur in every major she has contested.
The New Zealand Women's Open Champion has some real competition for that honour this week with two of her rivals off to a good start.
American Kyung Kim and Canadian Brooke Mackenzie Henderson have opened with rounds of one-under 71 to be in a share of 17th place.
Chinese amateur Cindy Yueer Feng (72) is tied with Ko while American amateurs Nelly Korda and Caroline Powers are one shot further back.
Ko has made a habit of rewriting the record books in her already stellar career. This week she is once again looking to become the youngest major winner in history in both the men's and women's records.
She is also looking to keep her perfect record alive of never missing a cut in 20 professional tournaments since she made her debut in a pro event at the New Zealand Women's Open in 2010.
