LA GRANGE, Ky. — Haeri Lee, and Emma Lindemoen (a) share the lead after the opening round of the 30th Kentucky Women’s Open, each carding 2-under-par 70 at Oldham County Country Club in the first round of the championship’s new 54-hole, WAGR-ranked format.

Lee’s day started shaky, the nerves of a first tee shot getting to her early, but she found her footing as the round wore on.

“The start of the round was a little nerve-wracking,” Lee said. “I found a rhythm towards the middle part of it, and then towards the end I kind of needed to grind. I had some up and downs that needed to be made, and overall I was really happy with the way that I finished.”

She pointed to the ninth hole as the one that gave her the most trouble off the tee, though she’s already looking ahead to taking it on again over the next two days. Now in her third Kentucky Women’s Open, Lee is fully on board with the new 54-hole format.

“I thought it was one of the best changes that I found with the tournament,” Lee said. “I like playing more rounds because it really forces a player to play well for a longer period of time.”

Lindemoen Rides Momentum from the Amateur

Lindemoen matched Lee’s 2-under total, still riding the confidence from a semifinal run at the Kentucky Women’s Amateur earlier this year.

“It just gave me a lot of confidence with my game,” Lindemoen said. “I really love match play. It just gives you a lot of confidence, and you’re able to really focus.”

Switching back to stroke play meant a different mental approach, one that requires full commitment to every shot rather than the ability to shrug off a bad hole against an opponent.

“In stroke play, you really have to focus on every single shot and just commit to every single shot,” Lindemoen said.

Her putter carried much of the load Monday, something she credited to a focus on that part of her game since the Amateur.

“I’ve really been trying to focus on my putting since the Amateur, and I think that was definitely better today,” Lindemoen said.

Kennedy Sits Third, Leach and Schmitt Close Behind

Morgan Kennedy (a) shot an even-par round to sit alone in third, two strokes back, missing just two fairways all day.

“I had a lot of good looks, a lot of good birdie looks,” Kennedy said. “Not every putt dropped.”

The course firmed up fast as the temperature climbed, and Kennedy leaned on her father, who caddied for her, to help pick landing spots.

“There was a bunch of times where me and my dad would be like, it’s 130 to the pin, pin’s in the back,” Kennedy said. “I’ve got to make sure I land it front, front center, and just keep it in there, and it would release.”

Martha Leach (a) sits in a tie for fourth after a 1-over-par round, playing her own game against a field with plenty more length off the tee.

“I just know the putter is always going to be the equalizer,” Leach said. “It is kind of daunting when they’re hitting wedges into the par 4s and I’m hitting like a 9-iron or an 8-iron.”

Leach moved to Kentucky from Texas 30 years ago, and her mindset for the week hasn’t changed much over that time.

“My goal today was just to have fun,” Leach said. “Even at my age, I have to remind myself that we are playing a game, and we need to have fun.”

Alaina Schmitt, sits in a tie for sixth after a 2-over-par round in her first competitive start since an injury sidelined her at the end of March.

“It was just great to be back out playing,” Schmitt said. “I’m just glad I get the chance to compete again.”

Six birdies in her first seven holes made for a fast start before a couple of doubles and a triple bogey brought her back to earth. Whatever the scorecard said, the day meant more.

“I honestly went into today saying, I don’t care what I shoot,” Schmitt said. “I just want to play again.”

Looking Ahead

With two rounds left in the first 54-hole edition of the Kentucky Women’s Open, the leaderboard remains tightly bunched near the top.

Round two tee times and the full field are available at https://www.golfgenius.com/pages/5758698. Follow along with live updates throughout the remainder of the championship on the KPGA’s social media channels.