Golf: Disastrous day for Ko

Lydia Ko, of New Zealand, chips to the first hole during the first round of the U.S. Women's Open. Photo /AP

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has endured a horror back nine during her opening round of the Women's US Open at Pinehurst as she eventually signed for a six-over 76 to be in a share of 77th.

The 17-year-old made the turn at even-par today but bogeyed the 11th and 13th holes before registering a triple-bogey seven at the par-four 14th.

It didn't stop there as she dropped another shot at the 16th before making par at 17 and 18 to finish a disastrous first day. Ko will likely need to go under the card or shoot even par during her second round if she wants to make the cut.

A collection of players were unable to finish their first round as play was suspended late in the day due to inclement weather and they will resume again tomorrow.

Ko, who is still searching for her first major tournament victory, is nine shots back from leader Stacy Lewis who began with a three-under 67.

Lewis has a one-stroke lead over Michelle Wie (-2), while a handful of other players are at one-under.

Meanwhile, on the PGA Tour, Manawatu's Tim Wilkinson has made a useful start to the Travelers Championship in Connecticut with a four-under 66, leaving him a tie for 16th after the opening round.

Wilkinson made four birdies during his bogey-free round and is four shots back from leader Brendan Steele who carded an impressive eight-under 62 today.

Kiwi Danny Lee will need to improve during his second round after he fired a disappointing two-over 72 to be in a share of 120th.

On the second-tier Web.com Tour, Hamilton's Steven Alker opened with a two-under 68 to sit in a share of 34th at the Air Capital Classic in Kansas.

Alker, who missed the cut at last week's US Open, is five strokes back from leader Aaron Watkins who began with a seven-under 63.