July 1, 2004

SOUTH HADLEY, MASS.-Former Duke stars Virada Nirapathpongporn and Beth Bauer each led the four Blue Devils playing in the first round of the 2004 U.S. Women's Open on Thursday at the 6,473-yard, Par 71 Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass.

Due to weather delays, 75 players were left with holes to finish in round one, including Nirapathpongporn who was even through 15 holes of action before darkness halted play. A Bangkok, Thailand product, Nirapathpongporn is tied for 17th. The four-time All-America selection carded one birdie and one bogey on the day, hitting 13 of 15 greens.

Bauer is tied for 36th with a one-over-par 72 in round one. The 1999 National Freshman of the Year, Bauer had three birdies in the morning round avoiding the inclement weather.

Both Jean Bartholomew and Niloufar Aazam-Zanganeh each finished their rounds posting a 73 and 77, respectively. Bartholomew is tied for 53rd with two birdies on the par-five holes.

Aazam-Zanganeh is tied for 132 at six-over-par in her first appearance in the U.S. Open. She registered only one birdie on the afternoon as she struggled off the tee hitting six of 14 fairways.

Amateur Brittany Lincicome leads the national championship with a five-under-par 66 on day one. Two stoppages due to inclement weather forced three hours of delay on Thursday.