Hutchinson ? The U.S. Women’s Open, a tournament dominated by international players in recent years, had a decidedly American flavor on the Fourth of July.

Juli Inkster, the only U.S. golfer to win the major tournament in the past seven years, shot a 3-under-par 67 on Thursday at Prairie Dunes Country Club and shared the first-round lead with fellow American Laura Diaz and little-known Australian Shani Waugh.

Laura Diaz lines up a putt on the second hole at the U.S. Women's Open. Diaz fired a 3-under-par 67 to earn a share of the lead following the first round Thursday at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson.

Though many spectators in a massive gallery undoubtedly turned out to watch Inkster’s playing partner two-time champion and early favorite Annika Sorenstam the crowd rallied behind Inkster, who birdied four of the first six holes on the front nine.

“I knew I was playing well, got off to a good start, and that really helped,” said Inkster, the 1999 champion. “I had some good iron shots early on, made some good putts early on. That got me going and settled me down.”

Inkster cooled off a bit when she bogeyed No. 9. Her third shot on the par-4 landed in the rough, 30 feet past the hole.

After the turn, Inkster made seven straight pars before a birdie on No. 17. Her sand wedge nearly hit the pin before bouncing away.

Like Waugh, Inkster squandered a chance to end the day with sole possession of the first-round lead when she had a tough chip and bogeyed her final hole.

Still, the 42-year-old Hall of Famer was pleased with her round and a share of the lead. It helped that the wind and rain that had pelted the course in recent days gave way to calm, partly cloudy conditions.

“When I looked out the window at the flags at the Holiday Inn Express, they weren’t blowing as rapidly as they have been, so that was a good sign,” said Inkster, who has won once this season and finished second twice.

Karrie Webb, two-time defending champion at the U.S. Women's Open, shot a first-round 79 Thursday at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson.

Diaz, sporting a red-white-and-blue ribbon in her hair on the national holiday, had five birdies and two bogeys and was thrilled to share the lead with Inkster.

“I think I’d be feeling patriotic no matter where I was on the leaderboard, but I think it’s nice to have two Americans with good scores today,” said Diaz, a two-time winner this season. “And it’s always an honor to be able to tie one of the best players in golf, Juli Inkster, so I think that this is a great day to say, ‘I’m proud to be an American,’ as is every day.”

Several other Americans were within striking distance. Kim Saiki, winless in 10 years on tour, was one stroke off the lead with a 68.

Canadian Lorie Kane and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew were another shot back.

Sorenstam, playing with Inkster, was tied for the lead at 3-under after a birdie on No. 10, but the Swede bogeyed Nos. 12, 13 and 14 and finished at even-par 70.

Sorenstam, who struggled with her putting, entered the tournament as the favorite after winning six times in 12 starts this season.

“I’m still there,” said Sorenstam, who hasn’t finished higher than ninth in a U.S. Women’s Open since winning her second title in 1996. “I can’t complain. It’s probably the best start I’ve had in a while, so I can smile about that.”

The two other members of the LPGA’s “Big Three” struggled. Korea’s Se Ri Pak, the 1998 champion, carded a 74. Her playing partner, two-time defending champion Karrie Webb of Australia, was so frustrated with her 79 that she headed to the driving range looking for answers.

Seven Americans Brandie Burton, Audra Burks, Jaqueline Gallagher-Smith, Pamela Kerrigan, Sherri Steinhauer, Kelli Kuehne and Cindy Schreyer matched Sorenstam at even-par, as did Scotland’s Mhairi Mckay.

Aree Wongluekiet, a Thailand native who lives in Florida, had the best round of the amateurs with a 71. She was tied with a group of 11 others that included Korea’s Grace Park and Americans Michele Redman, Beth Daniel, Rosie Jones and Kelly Robbins.