China golf star Feng Shanshan shrugs off jet lag to roar into lead at US Women’s Open

China’s Feng Shanshan shrugged off the effects of jet lag to fire a six-under-par 66 for the clubhouse lead in the weather-disrupted opening round of the US Women’s Open at Trump National on Thursday.

The Olympic bronze medallist took advantage of calm morning conditions with a sizzling opening nine of five-under 31 to lead a pack that included perennial Women’s Open contender Amy Yang, world number one Ryu So-yeon and former number one Lydia Ko.

A heavy thundershower interrupted the afternoon wave for two hours and five minutes and play was called off due to failing light with 39 players needing to return early on Friday to finish.

There were rumblings that President Donald Trump was planning to drop in to a course he owns this weekend, which would add a layer of security and could trigger protests by activists who have found comments by the US president demeaning to women.

Eric Trump, his son, was spotted during the opening round signing autographs in the merchandising pavilion, where Trump teddy bears were among mementos for sale.

Feng, who played an event last week in China and arrived in Bedminster exhausted on Monday after an overnight flight, scored in bursts with two batches of three birdies in a bogey-free round at the course some 50 miles west of Manhattan.

“I had three birdies in the first four holes and then after that I just felt so comfortable about everything,” said Feng, who had never broken 70 in 10 previous Women’s Open appearances.