Davies, Williams at Top of U.S. Open Leaderboard

Kim Williams and Laura Davies didn’t expect to be sharing the first-round lead in the U.S. Women’s Open.

Davies hardly expected to be in position to worry about playing through the weekend, figuring she would miss another cut--she has missed five this year--and head home to England early.

Williams, who hasn’t won in 12 years on the LPGA Tour, insists she’s glad merely to be able to play because of her bad back and her brush with death four years ago when she was struck by a stray bullet.

Both shot three-under-par 68s Thursday and were among only 10 golfers in the field of 150 who shot below par on the unforgiving Blackwolf Run Golf Course course at Kohnler, Wis.

With the wind off nearby Lake Michigan expected to pick up today, even higher scores were likely over the weekend.

Defending champion Alison Nicholas of England shot a 78, two-time champion Annika Sorenstam was at par 71, and four-time U.S. Open runner-up Nancy Lopez stumbled to a 77.

Helen Alfredsson of Sweden scored a hole in one on the 152-yard eighth, the 13th ace in the 53-year history of the Open.

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Pete Morgan, who had to qualify to make the field, birdied his final hole for a six-under 64 to lead the PGA Canon Greater Hartford Open at Cromwell, Conn.

Morgan, 35, holds a one-shot lead over Kenny Perry and Scott Hoch in only his fourth PGA Tour event since turning pro in 1989.

Casey Martin, given a sponsor exemption for the first time, shot a one-over 71.

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Colin Montgomerie, seeking a third consecutive Irish Open title, shot a six-under 65 in the opening round at Dublin and took a three-stroke lead over five others.

Lee Westwood, the leading money winner on the European PGA Tour who is seeking a third successive win, shot a 70.