Third-ranked Shin Ji-yai of South Korea shot a five-under-par 66 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over playing partner Sandra Gal of Germany after the wind-whipped opening round of the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
Taiwan’s Yani Tseng struggled to keep pace and finished with a two-over 73, while compatriot Amy Hung managed to hole a one-over 72.
Catriona Matthew of Scotland was two shots back, while fourth-ranked ranked Cristie Kerr, No. 6 I.K. Kim, Karen Stupples, Vicky Hurst and Lindsey Wright opened with 69s.
Australia’s Karrie Webb was in a trio at 70. Michelle Wie and Paula Creamer had 72s.
The surprise of the day was the conditions on the Bay Course at Seaview. For years, conditions have been calm at the links-type course in the shadow of Atlantic City, and there were birdies galore.
Strong gusts more blew off the bay and the majority of the field was over par (71) on a layout toughened by longer grass, quicker greens and the addition of knee-high fescue for those who missed the fairways. Only eight finished in the 60s.
“It played really tough,” Kerr said. “I started out on the back nine and that’s probably the toughest it’s ever played in all the years I’ve played here.”
Six of the top eight players teed off in the afternoon, including the top three. Kerr and Wright were the only ones to play in the morning.
A year ago, 60 players broke par in the first round, including 43 in the 60s. Ai Miyazato won the 54-hole event at 16 under.
Miyazato was in a group at 73 on Friday to join top-ranked Tseng.
Shin and Gal seem to do well together. They were paired for the final two rounds of the Kia event in the Los Angeles area earlier this year with Gal winning her first LPGA event and Shin coming in second.
They were very good again on Friday. Shin had six birdies and a bogey, while Gal had five birdies and a bogey. Both had birdies at the second, 10th and 18th.
“I’ve been practicing a lot of the putting this week,” said Shin, who blamed an inconsistent season on a balky putter. “Today my putting was great, good work, my shot also, and I didn’t miss any fairways.”
Gal said she wasn’t bothered by the wind, noting she played in similar conditions in the pro-am earlier in the week.
Gal has been one of the biggest surprises on the women’s tour this year. The 26-year-old has played in five events and posted three top-10 finishes.
For most of the players in the field, the first round was not enjoyable, particularly the amount of time they spent on the course. Most players needed more than five-and-a-half hours to complete play.
Kerr said her group, which included Grace Park (78) and Amanda Blumenherst (77), stopped 10 times to search for balls in the tall fescue.
Park hit two balls out of bounds and Blumenherst was in the wispy grass a couple of times.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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