Brooke Henderson, Michelle Wie off to hot starts at KPMG Women's PGA Championship

OLYMPIA FIELDS, Ill. (AP) — Defending champion Brooke Henderson and 2014 U.S. Open winner Michelle Wie recovered from sluggish starts to climb into contention early on the opening day of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship.

RELATED: KPMG leaderboard | Photos

Henderson shot even-par 36 and Wie was 1 over Thursday after playing the tougher front nine holes in windy conditions at Olympia Fields Country Club, the site of the LPGA's second major tournament and several previous men's majors.

Defending #KPMGWomensPGA champion, @BrookeHenderson finishes -3 on the day with this walk-in birdie on 18.

Watch LIVE on @GolfChannel now. pic.twitter.com/XNBR88YWrS

— KPMGWomensPGA (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 29, 2017

Henderson and Wie picked up the pace starting on the back and reached 2 under through the 15th. Third-year player Brittany Altomare was the clubhouse leader with a 4-under 67.

There was a little rain, a little sun and a lot of fun.... pic.twitter.com/5xZT5XeCsS

— KPMGWomensPGA (@KPMGWomensPGA) June 29, 2017

Among the afternoon starters are So Yeon Ryu, the LPGA's new No. 1 player, and Lexi Thompson. Ryu beat Thompson at the ANA Inspiration, the season's opening major.

.@themichellewie birdies 18 to move to 3-under and 2 off the lead. #KPMGWomensPGA pic.twitter.com/uZvsXKdQ6g

— LPGA (@LPGA) June 29, 2017

This article was written by The Associated Press from The Associated Press and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.