Golf: Top amateur makes solid US Open start

World amateur No 1 Lydia Ko has made a solid start to her major debut at the 67th US Open on the notoriously tough Blackwolf Run Golf Club in Wisconsin.

The 15-year-old, who is only the second New Zealand amateur to contest the US Open, after Olivia Hartley in 1999, carded a two-over-par 74 in round one to be in a share of 41st place.

The Gulf Harbour golfer made nine straight pars on the front nine and made a birdie on the 10th to climb inside the top 10 for a share of eighth place.

But she dropped shots on the 12th, 14th and 18th holes to fall 33 places down the leaderboard.

Still, it was an impressive start from the teenager, who showed great composure in hitting 93% of fairways and 83% of greens in her major debut.

Fellow New Zealander left-handed North Harbour professional Cathryn Bristow was 10-over through 15 holes to be in a share of 148th place.