Golf: Kiwi amateur Amelia Garvey makes a quick start at the US Open; Lydia Ko four shots out of lead

Kiwi amateur golfer Amelia Garvey has no doubt that she deserves to be among the US Open entrants, but she took the point with her first round in the Major on Friday morning.

Garvey shot a 70 one-under-par at Cypress Creek course in Houston, Texas, to sit just three shots behind the leader after 18 holes.

While he admitted there were some nerves in his first major, his play did not reflect that as he started his round in good shape with a birdie on his first hole.

“That was a good way to start. But it probably made me a little more nervous to be fair. I told my caddy ‘wow, I could actually be leading the US Open’ because I was one of the first out.” Garvey said.

“I was very smart about my goals today. He’s playing hard; the wind was blowing and it was really hot, so the greens were really firm. I’m happy with the way I did it and I got under par.”

“I had so much fun out there. After eight months off I thought I’d be more rusty than a cute 70 pee, a short one.

“I told my caddy as we were coming off the green, I actually thought to myself this morning, I have the game to win this, and then go down 18, which was my ninth hole today, it was good to see” Garvey is up in the standings as well. that I’m enjoying it and enjoying being in the position that I’m in because I’ve worked hard and I deserve to be here, so go out there and do the same tomorrow. “

The 20-year-old currently resides in the United States and looks forward to a move up the professional ranks after completing her studies at the University of Southern California.

After finishing the first round tied for 12th place, he will be looking to move on when he plays the Jackrabbit field tomorrow.

Her compatriot Kiwi and former world number one Lydia Ko didn’t stray far from the pace in her first round, finishing with a par of 71 at Jackrabbit field to be tied for 24th.

Ko had a pretty erratic round, with three birdies, an eagle, three bogies and a double bogey on his scorecard.

American Amy Olson tops the standings after the first round of play at four under par, with Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn, South Korea’s A Lim Kim and Filipino Yuka Saso tied for second at three under par.