Haeji Kang shot a five-under 67 yesterday to take a two-stroke lead over five players, including three fellow South Koreans, after the first round of the LPGA’s KEB-HanaBank Championship.
Lee Il-hee and defending champion Amy Yang shot 69s, along with South Korean Mirim Lee. Australian Minjee Lee and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew are also tied for second on the wind-swept Ocean Course at the Sky72 Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea.
“I think looking back on my game overall today, I did very well,” Kang said. “Especially in the first nine holes, there were a couple of risks of actually bogeying some holes, but I was able to stop and save with my putting.”
There were eight golfers tied for seventh another shot back, including No. 4-ranked Suzann Pettersen of Norway and the US’ Brittany Lincicome.
Second-ranked Inbee Park, who could move to No. 1 with a win in the absence of top-ranked Stacy Lewis of the US, was a further shot back with a 71. Park married swing coach Gi Hyeob-nam on Monday in Seoul.
No. 3 Lydia Ko of New Zealand shot 73, one of eight of the top 10-ranked players competing in the South Korean event.
US Women’s Open champion Michelle Wie opened with a 76 in her first start since withdrawing during the first round of the Evian Championship last month after reinjuring a stress fracture in her right hand.
Women’s British Open winner Mo Martin had a 78 in her return from a thumb injury, while the US’ Paula Creamer shot 81.
Martin played her round in a splint because of her injury and said she had to adjust her grip.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng shot a 72 for a share of 21st place, with compatriot Lee Min sharing 37th place after a first-round 74 and Chien Pei-yun down near the bottom at joint 75th on a score of 79.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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