Webb Is in Form at Birkdale

Karrie Webb bounced back from an off week in the season’s last major to take a two-shot lead after the first round of the Women’s British Open on Thursday.

Despite three-putting the final green, the 25-year-old Australian completed a five-under-par 68 in sunny but gusty morning weather at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England.

Webb finished seventh in last week’s du Maurier Classic after winning the LPGA’s previous two majors and seven titles overall this season. But she showed no ill effects, leading a stellar group of five that included Americans Juli Inkster, Becky Iverson and Susie Redman, and Swedes Annika Sorenstam and Sophie Gustafson.

“Shooting five under is definitely a good way to get started,” Webb said. “I think the weather is supposed to get worse.”

Defending champion Sherri Steinhauer’s chances of posting a record third consecutive victory suffered a major blow when she took a triple-bogey seven at the 12th. She finished with a 77, nine behind Webb.

Meg Mallon, who won the du Maurier on Sunday, shot a 74.

Sorenstam, No. 2 behind Webb on the LPGA money list, missed a birdie chance on the par-five 18th, managing only a par despite the wind at her back on the 486-yard hole. Inkster eagled the hole with a 15-foot putt, and Gustafson, Iverson and Redman all birdied.