Lincicome Among U.S. Open Leaders
Published: Jun 29, 2007
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SOUTHERN PINES, N.C. - Out back, behind the rented home where Brittany Lincicome and family are staying during this week's U.S. Women's Open, there is a pond. Upon her arrival at the temporary residence, a quick investigation turned up what the third-year LPGA player from Seminole considered yet another treasure: Fishing rods and tackle.
"I love to fish," she said.
So it was a given that on the eve of Thursday's opening round of play at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, Lincicome's final preparation would be a quiet evening spent casting a line into the still, dark water.
Well, at least in theory.
"Even in fishing, winning is important," Lincicome said.
The result was that when swing coach and fishing companion Matt Mitchell reeled in his fifth catch of the evening, bringing him within one of Lincicome's total take, there was nothing serene left about the outing.
"All of a sudden, she has moved down the bank to a little point, casting like crazy," Mitchell said. "That told me she was ready."
Thursday morning it was Lincicome who struck, opening play in the 63rd Women's Open with an even-par 71 that not only landed her on the rain-delayed first-round leader board but weighed in heavy with promise.
"I had a lot of opportunity, which is good," Lincicome said. "Three-putted quite a bit, so obviously there's something to work on, and that's always good. Just a couple of silly mistakes. So it's out there, that's for sure."
At first glance, Lincicome's round of five birdies and five bogeys might suggest a roller-coaster ride around the testy Donald Ross design of saucer greens and sloping runoffs. Instead, Lincicome saw it as a sign of what can be done; far better promise than what an identical round of 18 pars would offer.
"Because you know there are birdies out there," she said.
Just not necessarily for everybody.
While exactly half the field failed to complete their first rounds because of an almost 3 1/2 -hour lightning delay, of the 78 players who finished, only seven made it to the clubhouse in better shape than Lincicome's even-par.
Rookie Angela Park, a Brazilian living in Orlando, held the overnight lead at 3-under 68, but far more reflective of the day was the other end of the leader board. Australian Karrie Webb, the No.-2 ranked player in the world and winner by eight shots when the Women's Open was last played here in 2001, finished at 12-over 83. Norway's Suzann Pettersen, No. 4 in the world and winner of the LPGA Championship, shot 76. Michelle Wie came in at 82.
"Just because it's a tough golf course," said Morgan Pressel, the 19-year-old from South Florida who won this year's Kraft Nabisco and joined Lincicome Thursday at even par. "Everybody has a bad day, and this course, if you're just a little bit off, can really bring it out in you. And there's not really too many places where you can make up much ground."
That may be true on the grounds that is Pine Needles, but in the bigger picture Lincicome is finally closing fast on her heretofore more celebrated American rivals.
Although with a victory in last year's World Match Play Championship and this season's Ginn Open, no American has won more than Lincicome in the last year, she continually has been upstaged by players like Paula Creamer, Pressel and Wie. But this week she has been mentioned among "players to watch" and was one of Thursday's gallery favorites.
Her driving average of 284.5 yards, with a long of 297, did not disappoint those who came to get their first look.
"It's exciting," Lincicome said. "If they are rooting for me, I'm going to try my hardest for them. The fans are who motivate you to play well and not just for yourself. If they are pulling for me, I'm going to try to win for them."
Reporter Mick Elliott can be reached at (813) 281-2534 or melliott@tampatrib.com.
