Two-time champion Shin Ji-yai of South Korea shared a one-stroke lead with Japan’s Ayako Uehara after the first round of the LPGA Mizuno Classic yesterday.
The 24-year-old South Korean, the winner in 2008 and 2010, who also bagged a major title at the British Open this season, sank five birdies against one bogey for a four-under 68.
“Today the weather was so windy, so I played really hard. My strength is accuracy on the fairway and greens, but today I missed a lot of the greens. But my chipping was good and my putting was good,” Shin said.
Photo: AFP
“My first time playing here in 2008 I won ... [so] I had a lot of confidence on this course,” she said. “This golf course you have to play woods and long irons. I think I’m strong with hybrids and fairway woods, so I think that’s why I play well here.”
Uehara carded the same five birdies against one bogey on the 6,506-yard, par-72 Kashikojima Country Club course.
Defending champion Momoko Ueda hit five birdies against two bogeys to trail them on 69, tied for third with fellow Japanese Maiko Wakabayashi, China’s Feng Shanshan, South Korea’s Choi Na-yeon, Beatriz Recari of Spain and Angela Stanford of the US.
“I have never experienced such strong wind at this course. At first I thought today [was] going to be tough, but after the birdies at fifth and seventh, and the birdie comeback on the ninth after the bogey on eighth ... I managed to keep ... momentum,” Ueda, 26, said.
Choi, the US Open champion this season, had four birdies against one bogey, while Feng, the LPGA champion, hit five birdies against two bogeys.
Choi said she played “really well,” although “there is a lot of wind out there.”
“I think I’m in good position right now after the first round. I just have to get some good rest and I’m really looking forward to the next few days,” Choi said.
Stacy Lewis of the US, hoping to hold on to her top spot in the Player of the Year standings, hit a 71 for a 19th-place tie with 10 other golfers, including local hope Mika Miyazato and Taiwanese world No. 1 Yani Tseng.
“I had some good tee-shots and putts, but just my second shots were not coming along,” Tseng said after the round. “I’m very disappointed with the bogeys on the 15th and 18th. I should made more chances, but I couldn’t. It’s just one of those days. One-under-par is not a bad score, but I could’ve done better.”
Taiwan’s Candie Kung shot an even-par 72, while Teresa Lu carded a three-over 75.
Additional reporting by Staff writer, with CNA
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just