Park shares early lead in LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship: Yonhap

By Lim Chang-won Posted : October 12, 2017, 17:37 Updated : October 12, 2017, 17:37

[Yonhap News Photo]


LPGA rookie sensation Park Sung-hyun shot to the top of the leaderboard on her home soil with a flawless round.

Park carded a bogey-free round of six-under 66 to tie for the opening round lead at the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship on the Ocean Course at Sky 72 Golf & Resort, near Incheon International Airport.

Park, world No. 2, is joined at the top by Kim Min-sun of South Korea and Minjee Lee of Australia after a cold and windy day. Park is a virtual lock to win the Rookie of the Year this year, on the strength of her two victories, including her first major at the U.S. Women's Open in July. Park is also the money leader with a little over 1.9 million US dollars.

Prior to this tournament, Park said she'd been hitting good shots in practice and she had high expectations for herself. "It's great to have such a great start," Park said. "I hope I can finish well, too. I always feel comfortable playing at home, and I fed off the energy of the fans here."

Kim, one of a dozen players from the Korea LPGA (KLPGA) competing this week, had seven birdies against one bogey. After teeing off at the 10th hole, Kim birdied her final five holes to shoot to the top of the leaderboard. Lee had eight birdies against two bogeys.

Park bested her two playing partners, world No. 1 Ryu So-yeon (72) and No. 3 Thompson (69), in the day's most glamorous group. "I've played with them before so there wasn't any pressure on me," Park said. "I was able to focus on my own game."

(Yonhap)



 
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