Intro:

Michelle Wie shot a bogey-free five-under 66 on Friday (27 June) in her first round since winning the U.S. Women's Open last weekend at Pinehurst, leaving

her a stroke behind leader Alena Sharp in the NW Arkansas Championship.

Script:

The three-round Walmart NW Arkansas Championship teed off at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas on Friday.

Stacy Lewis, the world No. 1, graduated from the University of Arkansas, she bogeyed two of her first four holes, but made it back into red numbers with a

birdie on the par-three 11th. Lewis parred out from there to sign a one-under 70.

Michelle Wie beat Lewis by one stroke last Sunday to win the U.S. Women's Open. The Hawaiian kept her momentum going, shooting a bogey-free, five-under par

66, one stroke behind leader Alena Sharp.

Lexi Thompson had an up-and-down, even-par opening round at Pinnacle with three birdies and three bogeys.

So Yeon Ryu closed as one of 10 players at four under par, two shots out of the lead. The South Korean has not won on the U.S. LPGA Tour since
2012.

17 year-old Lydia had a quiet opening round in Arkansas with just two birdies and no bogeys on a card of 69.

Suzann Pettersen, who missed the cut at Pinehurst, had a rockier day with three bogey, the Norwegian signed a three-under 68.

Na Yeon Choi rolled in a short putt on the par-three 17th for her fourth birdie of the day but a bogey on 18 left her in a group tied with Pettersen at three

under par.