Scotland's Mhairi McKay is just two shots off the pace after the opening round of the 65th US Women's Open.
Scottish golfer two-shots off the pace set by Lang
Scotland's Mhairi McKay is just two shots off the pace after the opening round of the 65th US Women's Open.
The 35-year-old, who led the first and second rounds 65th US Women's Open, carded a level-par 71 in Pennsylvania to force her way in contention.
American Brittany Lang leads the way after a two-under-par 69 at Oakmont - with only five players finishing under par at the infamously tough course.
And McKay admitted that she had had to work hard to avoid finishing over-par for her round.
"I'm delighted to have finished the first round and be at even par," she said.
"I mean, what a fantastic golf course Oakmont is. It's just a treat to be here and to play well is just a real bonus.
"I've got my husband (Dave) on the bag, so we're still happily married at this point in time.
"My baby (14-month-old) Angus was watching from the ladies' locker room in day care. Hopefully he saw me par the ninth.
"It's quite a beast out there. I played well today. I did make some mistakes, but the strategy was just to take my medicine when those errors came up and just give myself an opportunity to have a putt for par.
Lucky
"I did make a couple of really good saves. Just tried to stay really patient out there, and it paid off."
Lang leads the major by one stroke - after five birdies and three bogeys - with MJ Hur, Inbee Park, Amy Yang and South African amateur Kelli Shean all carding 70s.
And Lang believes her positive attitude helped her tame Oakmont.
"Any golf course you can shoot a low number, there's no question," Lang said.
"If you just know where to hit it, if you're on your game hitting the ball well, you're going to hit fairways, you're going to hit greens, and you're going to make pars. One or two are going to go in.
"I got very lucky today that a lot of the long putts went in. If you're hitting the ball good, you can for sure shoot a low score here."
World No.1 Cristie Kerr, winner of the LPGA Championship, remains handily placed in a tie for eighth after a one-over 72.
Of McKay's fellow Britons, Scottish amateur and Curtis Cup player Sally Watson was tied for 50th with England's Karen Stupples, amongst others, at four-over following a 75.
Welsh golfer Becky Morgan shot a six-over 77 alongside defending champion Ji Eun-hee of South Korea, while compatriot Becky Brewerton is at seven over with Scotland's Janice Moodie.
Reigning Women's British Open champion Catriona Matthew of Scotland shot a nine-over 80.
