Surprise, surprise: Inkster tops day one leaderboard at Ricoh Women's British Open

A LPGA Tour veteran was atop the leaderboard after round one of the Ricoh Women’s British Open Wednesday. It just wasn’t the person most expected.

Juli Inkster fired a bogey-free 7-under 65, putting her a stroke ahead of the field in Sunningdale, England. Annika Sorenstam, who many were looking at to compete in her final major before retirement, finished with a 72.

“I always thought I would play about five years and have a couple of kids and retire,” said Inkster, a mother of two teenagers. “I’m kind of unique. I really love the game and I go out and play for fun. I think (with) Annika it’s a lot of hard work. Every time she tees it up she’s expected to win. Her work ethic is just grind, grind, work out, hit balls.”

Inkster’s last major title was the 2002 Women’s U.S. Open. She heads into day two a stroke ahead of seven players - Ji-Yai Shin, Ji Young Oh, Yuri Fudoh, Momoko Ueda, Jo Head, Laura Diaz and Stacy Prammanasudh. Defending champion Lorena Ochoa was three strokes behind.

Golf courses and nature meet in Minnesota, more on Germany, and Will Ferrell as Tiger Woods in this week’s podcast at TravelGolf.com.