VIKKI JOINT 18th AFTER FIRST ROUND
OF US FUTURES TOUR EVENT

Vikki Laing was in joint 18th position after the first round of the United States Steel Classic - this week's US Futures Tour event - at Lost Marsh Golf Club, near Lake Michigan and a 30min drive from Chicago.
Vikki had halves of 38 and 37 for a three-over-par 75 in a day marked by a 30mph wind off Lake Michigan in the morning. The wind veered in the afternoon and then dropped to a breeze so the later starters had the best of it.
Polly Willett from London had 38 and 40 for a 78 which put her in joint 53rd place.
South Wales amateur Natasha Morgan, a student at Lynn University, Boca Raton in Florida, had an 85 (41-44) for a share of 122nd place.
Another couple of shots and Natasha would have been eliminated under the Futures Tour rule which imposes a first-round "cut" on anyone who shoots 87 or higher.
Brenda McLarnon from Belfast was eliminated in this fashion after returning an 88 (47-41).
Two Canadians lead the field - Angela Buzminski from Ontario and Kim Brozer from Alberta - on one-under-par 71 over the 6,210yd course.
LEADERBOARD
71 Angela Buzminski (Ontario) 36-35, Kim Brozer (Alberta) 37-34.
72 Song Y Choi (Seoul), 38-34, Yoora Kim (Seoul) 35-37, Allison Fouch (Michigan) 35-37, Brandi Jackson (South Carolina) 40-32, Shayna Miyajima (Hawaii) 34-38, Courtney Erdman (California) 39-33.
Other scores:
75 Vikki Laing (Musselburgh) 38-37 (jt 18th).
78 Polly Willett (London) 38-40 (jt 53rd).
85 Natasha Morgan (South Wales) (am) 41-44.
Eliminated:
88 Brenda McLarnon (Belfast) 47-41.