WIE LEAD AT KINGSBARNS WITH COURSE RECORD 64

Michelle Wie shot a women's course record eight-under-par 64 at Kingsbarns Golf Links on Thursday morning to take the clubhouse lead in the opening round of the Ricoh Women's British Open.

The 27-year-old from Honolulu in Hawaii made one bogey at the par-5 second hole – where she 'skulled' her lob wedge over the back of the green – and then, after getting "very angry", she fired nine birdies, including three in a row at the end of her round.

Wie birdied the fourth, sixth and eighth in an outward nine of 34 and then came home in 30 with six birdies on holes 11, 12, 14, 16, 17 and 18.

The 2014 US Women's Open champion said afterwards: "It was a lot of fun! It was absolutely gorgeous today. I think Kingsbarns is definitely one of the most scenic golf courses I've ever played."

The four-time United States Solheim Cup player, who is on target to make a fifth appearance in Des Moines, Iowa, in just over a fortnight, has not played to her full potential in the Ricoh Women's British Opens, since she tied for third aged 15 and was the low amateur in 2005 at Royal Birkdale, in her final Major before turning professional.

She said: "I made it a point to come to the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open last week and I really feel like that helped me a lot, because it's so different."

Wie, a winner of four LPGA titles from 2009-2014, has suffered a series of injuries over the last two years and hurt her neck during the final round of the KPMG Championship, but hinted that she is now injury free "knock-on-wood."

Talking of woods, she revealed in her press conference that she had swapped her 4-iron for a 9-wood, which she used to birdie the 14th and 16th holes and has replaced her 5-iron with an 11-wood, which she used to make her birdie on the sixth hole.

When asked why she had opted for the higher lofted woods, she quipped: "I think it's just getting old!" but also added that she hoped her best years are ahead.

To read the full report on today's play go to the European Tour Website

First Round Scores