By Doug Ferguson
The Associated Press

SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. - A teenager is leading the U.S. Women's Open.

No, not that one.

Brittany Lincicome, an 18-year-old from Florida who just finished her last year of home school, watched kids younger than her play in the Women's Open, nearly win on the LPGA Tour and even compete against the men. She knew she had just as much game, but was willing to wait her turn.

Her time came Thursday in her first Open, a round that left her crying for joy and in a mild state of shock over a 5-under 66 that gave her a one-shot lead and matched the best score ever by an amateur.

"I birdied 10 and it went from there," she said. "I don't even know what happened."

She made short birdie putts on two of the next three holes, then hit the shot of her young life - a chip 7-iron under the trees, the ball rolling onto the 15th green and slipping in the right side of the cup for an eagle. She shot 30 on the back nine, tying a Women's Open record.

And just like that, she stole the thunder from 14-year-old Michelle Wie and 17-year-old Paula Creamer, the most heralded girls among a record 16 teenagers at Orchards Golf Club.

Lincicome, a 6-foot blonde with a ponytail and easy smile, also put it on the pros.

Patricia Meunier-LeBouc, the '03 Kraft Nabisco champion with a 4-month-old daughter, birdied the final four holes for a 67, twice holing 25-foot putts.

Only five other players from the early starters broke par in a calm first round that turned nasty.

The round was suspended by three hours because of thunderstorms that swamped the Orchards. Seventy-five players were still on the course when it was too dark too continue.

Beth Daniel was at 3 under, while Annika Sorenstam was 2 under with three holes left.

Everyone missed most of Lincicome's sterling back nine. They were all following Wie, who recovered from a double bogey on the par-3 fifth by hitting a 5-wood from 220 yards into 9 feet for eagle on her final hole for a 71.

Creamer, a senior-to-be who was second and 12th the last two weeks on the LPGA Tour, was 3 over through 10 holes but recovered for a 72.

Grace Park, who has finished first and third in the other two majors this year, and two-time Women's Open champion Juli Inkster were among those at even-par 71.

Defending champion Hilary Lunke was 4 over after four holes, but she buckled down with birdies, and a bogey on the 18th hole left her with a respectable 72.