LANCASTER, Pa. — Veteran Karrie Webb and second-year LPGA Tour player Marina Alex each shot a 4-under 66 to share the early lead Thursday on a wet and windblown first day at the U.S. Women’s Open.

Webb, 40, reeled off four birdies on her second nine holes, and Alex birdied three of her last five before the first round was suspended. An early evening storm packing strong winds, lightning and heavy rain pounded Lancaster Country Club.

The stoppage came with 55 golfers still on the course. The USGA’s plan is to complete the first round early Friday, then start the second.

Amy Yang, who played in the morning, was in the clubhouse a shot behind the leaders. Two players on the course were also at 3 under. Na Yeon Choi, the 2012 U.S. Open champion, had three holes to play and Jane Park had five.

Top-ranked Inbee Park birdied two of her last three holes before play was stopped and was at 2 under through 14. Morgan Pressel and six other morning starters shot a 2-under 68.

PGA: Justin Thomas and Nicholas Thompson tied for the lead at 8 under par in the opening round of the John Deere Classic while Jordan Spieth languished far behind at Silvis, Illinois.

Thomas and Thompson each shot a 63, finishing eight strokes ahead of Spieth, the Masters and U.S. Open champion. They were a shot ahead of Charles Howell III and Luke Guthrie.

Steve Stricker, a three-time tournament winner, led the list of golfers at 6 under.

Spieth shot par 71 in his first round since winning the U.S Open. Spieth, who will go for his third straight major title next week at the British Open, had three bogeys in a four-hole stretch and missed a 15-foot birdie putt on No. 18.

EUROPEAN: Thorbjorn Olesen returned to form with a 7-under 63 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the Scottish Open at Gullane, with Jimmy Walker leading three top Americans in the chasing pack.

Rebounding from missing the cut in five of his last six events, Olesen made seven birdies – including three straight on Nos. 15-17 – and was bogey-free in benign conditions for the morning starters over the Gullane links.

In a week in which Rory McIlroy withdrew from next week’s British Open because of an ankle injury sustained playing soccer, it’s fitting that Olesen is playing a starring role.

Olesen, a 25-year-old Dane, sustained one of the most bizarre injuries of recent years when he fell off a camel while on vacation with friends in Dubai last year, pulled a groin muscle and was ruled out for two months.

A hand injury forced him out of action this season from February to May, contributing to his poor recent form.