Wie shot a 3-over 75 in her first appearance in the championship, and 2003 champion Sorenstam carded a 73. Like all the early starters, they were held up by a 56-minute delay because of flooded greens.

Jang had a one-shot lead over former champion Sofie Gustafson, with Nicole Perrot of Chile third after a 2-under 70.

Among late starters, 18-year-old Paula Creamer, who won last week's Evian Masters for her second title of the season, finished tied with Wie at 75.

Defending champion Karen Stupples finished with a 2-over 74.

"I have played in rain before. I have played in wind before. I have played in cold before, but not all put together," the 15-year-old Wie said. "They were the hardest conditions I ever played in."

Wie was already 1-over when the rain delay started after her tee shot at the 11th.

"It was in a pot bunker and that was extra special," she said.

Although she had two birdies in her first round at Royal Birkdale, Wie's card was spoiled by two bogey 5s and a double-bogey 6 at the 13th, where she drove into the left rough and then three-putted.

Sorenstam, trying to become the fourth player to win three majors in one season and take her total to 10, was 1-under after 10 holes. She then dropped shots at 12 and 13.

"It was obviously very, very difficult today — rainy, wet and cold. We had it all," Sorenstam said. "I think I left a few (putts) out there. I wish I would have made them. Then again, it was really tough and there is a long way to go."

Jang, one of 19 South Koreans in a field of 150, also found the conditions tough but managed to master the driving rain. She said a 25-foot eagle putt at the sixth to go with four birdies and just one bogey, and held the clubhouse lead with half the field still on the course.

"The course is really great but it is windy so that makes it hard," Jang said.

Jang won titles in her homeland as an amateur before qualifying for the LPGA Tour. Despite nine top-10 finishes last year and a tie for second at the Sybase Classic in May, she is still searching for her first pro win.

"I think about winning every week," Jang said.

Se Ri Pak's British Open lasted just eight holes before the former champion walked off the course with a finger injury at 6-over par.