Michelle Wie sets course record, leads Women's British Open

Michelle Wie set a course record by shooting an 8-under-par 64 on Thursday to take the lead after one round in the Ricoh Women's British Open at Kingsbarns Golf Links just outside St. Andrews, Scotland.

While establishing the women's course mark, Wie took a one-stroke lead over In-Kyung Kim of South Korea and a two-shot lead over Lindy Duncan.

Wie completed her round before play was interrupted twice for inclement weather that included lightning in the early evening.

"I had a lot of fun out there today," Wie said. "The views were just so spectacular here, you kind of get lost in the view sometimes. I'm really proud of myself how I took advantage of conditions this morning."

Wie has played some of her best golf this year. She has six top-10 finishes, which is her most since 2014, when she finished in the top 10 11 times. Thursday was the third time this year she shot a round of 64.

"This year has been fun," she said. "I've been building a lot of confidence and just taking it day by day and just working towards something, been working towards playing well, and just want to have fun out there, not really thinking of the future."

Wie bogeyed the par-5 second hole, but then recorded nine birdies, including six on the back nine and three in row to finish the round.

"I think sometimes in the past I've maybe tried to work a little bit too much with my game to fit the links," she said. "I think you've just got to just play with it and not change too much. Sometimes I try to do too much with it, so I just kind of just played it."

Kim also finished her round before the bad weather arrived, and she began her day with birdies on his first two holes and five of her first eight.

"After six holes (eight actually), five birdies, I'm like this is pretty awesome. But I try to not get ahead of myself, and focus on one shot at a time," Kim said. "The view is amazing, so I was just watching the view and try to focus on my game. But I was very lucky today with the weather."

Kim finished with a bogey and three birdies on the back nine.

"I think everything has a timing," Kim said. "I've always been working on my game very hard, sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't, but I think the perseverance and also being appreciative of everything I get to do."

Tied for fourth at 5-under are Marissa Steen, Lexi Thompson, Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England, Anne Van Dam of The Netherlands, Chella Choi of South Korea and Mel Reid of England.

Anna Nordqvist carded a 4-under 68 in her first event since being diagnosed with mononucleosis just after last month's U.S. Women' s Open.

"I was fortunate to be home with family, so seeing my nieces and nephews and just a few friends," said Nordqvist, who recuperated in her native Sweden before traveling to Scotland. "But everyone else understands I'm sick, so no one really wants to be surrounded by me."

Nordqvist was forced to withdraw from last week's Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open.