Rookie Cheyenne Woods, 17-time winner Cristie Kerr and Thailand’s P.K. Kongkraphan equaled the course record of nine-under-par 63 on Thursday to share the first-round lead at the Manulife LPGA Classic.
Woods, whose superstar uncle was slogging through a tough first round of the US PGA Tour’s Memorial tournament on Thursday, gave the famous family name a boost with the best-round of her young career.
She hit all 14 fairways at Whistle Bear Country Club, 16 greens and needed just 26 putts.
Photo: AP
“I played really solid all day,” Woods said. “I had one bogey, which was a stupid three-putt, but overall I played solid.”
The relaxed atmosphere in her group with Jaye Marie Green and Canadian Brittany Henderson also helped, Woods said.
“That’s sometimes when I play my best and I guess it worked out,” she said.
In ideal scoring conditions, Germany’s Sandra Gal and Israel’s Laetitia shared fourth place on eight-under 64.
A total of 28 players were within four shots of the lead.
Woods had eight birdies and an eagle, her only blemish that three-putt bogey at the sixth.
Her eagle at the par-five ninth was followed by three straight birdies that moved her to seven-under-par.
Birdies at 16 and 17 put her at nine-under and in possession of the outright lead.
Kerr, who teed off later, got off to a blistering start with birdies at seven of her first nine holes as she played her way to a share of the lead.
“I think you just know that the course is giving some birdies up and that if you’re patient, you get a lot of opportunities and then get on a roll, which is what I did,” the US veteran said.
Kerr is trying to add a second tour title this year to the Kia Classic trophy she lifted in March.
Woods’ previous best finish at an LPGA Tour event was a tie for 23rd at the Women’s Australian Open last year, before she was a member of the tour.
Defending champion Inbee Park finished with a 69 that left her tied for 43rd. World No. 1 Lydia Ko struggled in her first event back from a fortnight’s break, her one-under effort leaving her with a bit of ground to make up to make the halfway cut.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng finished tied for 32nd with a four-under-par 68, while compatriot Hsu Wei-ling and Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung of the US finished tied for 65th at two-under-par 70. Min Lee, the only other Taiwanese player, finished tied for 106th after carding an even-par 72.
Additional reporting by staff writer
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely