There's no denying this is the biggest week in women's golf — full of good news and bad.

The game's top-ranked player, a former champion and a developmental tour qualifier are one stroke behind a talented second-year LPGA player at the U.S. Women's Open in Bethlehem, Pa., on a course that doesn't yield birdies easily.

All the while, controversy is swirling around the women's tour amid reports yesterday that LPGA commissioner Carolyn Bivens could be out of her job as early as next week after a faction of key players signed a letter calling for her resignation.

Despite the theatrics, it has the makings of a developing drama on the golf course as well, with the game's top players off to hot starts and a 14-year-old amateur trying to make her first cut in her third Open.

Leader Na Yeon Choi birdied her first three holes, and four of her first five, making the tough Saucon Valley Country Club course look tame with an opening round 3-under 68.

"I know it's a difficult course, but I was really excited to start my round and I thought it was going to be a very, very interesting week for me," the South Korean said through an interpreter.

It could get quite interesting considering the players chasing the 21-year-old.

No. 1-ranked Lorena Ochoa, 2007 champion Cristie Kerr and qualifier Jean Reynolds opened with 2-under 69s, and Hee Young Park was another stroke back after a 70.

"Patience is the No. 1 thing you have to have this week," Ochoa said.

Playing in her second Open, Choi made Saucon Valley's narrow fairways seem wide and handled its speedy, undulating greens. Choi relied on accurate approach shots throughout and reached 5-under by her 12th hole, before backing up just a bit. Starting on the back nine, she had consecutive bogeys on the 409-yard, par-4 fifth, and 559-yard, par-5 sixth before closing with three pars.

Alexis Thompson is at even-par 71. In 2007, she was the youngest to qualify for the Open at age 12.

Amateur Kimberly Kim, a former Big Island resident, opened with an 80. The 17-year-old Kim, who now lives in Arizona, had four bogeys in a front-nine 40. She made three bogeys, two double bogeys and a birdie for a 40 on the back.

PGA TOUR

HAWAI'I'S WILSON ONE BACK

Kane'ohe native Dean Wilson didn't have to look too hard to find out how he was doing against the leaders yesterday in the opening round at the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill.

Wilson shot a 6-under 65 and was one stroke behind co-leader and playing partner Lee Janzen.

Janzen, who got to 8-under before bogeying the final hole, was tied with Darron Stiles at 64.

"It seemed like it was an easy day for us," said Wilson, who played with Janzen and Patrick Sheehan (68). "We kept pouring in the birdies, and unfortunately (Janzen) finished with a bogey. But all of us, Patrick, also, we just kind of all played nicely and made birdies here and there, so it's nice to do that when you're all in one flow."

J.J. Henry and Matt Bettencourt also shot 65s to tie Wilson.

"It feels good just to get a good round under my belt," Wilson said. "I haven't played too well the last couple months, so anything under par feels good. The putter felt good. I gave myself some chances and was able to roll some balls in, and that was nice."