Storm clouds swept over the James River and forced a delay in the opening round of Kingsmill Championship’s first round on Thursday. / Photo by Kevin Dunleavy
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — A storm hit Williamsburg, forcing a delay of the Kingsmill Championship six minutes before the 12:30 p.m. Golf Channel telecast. The weather also halted the momentum of Paula Creamer who surged to the lead playing the final eight holes of the front nine in 7-under-par.
After opening with a bogey, Creamer made an eagle at No. 3, a 485-yard par 5. At 6-under through 11 holes, Creamer is tied for the lead with 2009 British Women’s Open champion Jiyai Shin of South Korea. American Christina Kim, the leader in the clubhouse, and South Korean Chella Choi are a stroke back.
Creamer, 26, has nine LPGA victories, but has struggled with her putting since capturing her first major, the U.S. Women’s Open in 2010, and hasn’t won an event since. She ranks No. 72 on the LPGA, averaging 30.2 putts per round.
With the skies brightening at the beautiful course on the banks of the James River, play will resume at 2:15 p.m. The delay will make it difficult for the afternoon wave of players to complete their rounds before dark.
In keeping with the history at Kingsmill, it is a strong leaderboard, which includes Natalie Gulbis, Lexi Thompson, Azahara Munoz, all at 3-under. Winners of the Michelob ULTRA here from 2003-09 were Grace Park, Se Ri Pak, Karrie Webb, Suzann Pettersen, Anna Sorenstam, and Cristie Kerr (twice).
