SEOUL, OCT 17 – Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko shot a five-under-par 67 today to finish the first round of the Women’s LPGA BMW Championship in Korea
South, just three shots behind the leader.
The New Zealander claimed victory at the Paris Olympics and ended an eight-year drought without a major title at the Women’s British Open at St Andrews two weeks later.
Ko, 27, who recorded five birdie without any bogey at Seowon Valley Country Club, is in prime position to challenge the leading trio, Jenny Shin, Hannah Green, and Ashleigh Buhai.
Ko, the defending champion of the tournament in 2022, expressed satisfaction after what he described as a ‘strong’ start.
“I don’t put myself in a difficult position,” said Ko, who also won the Queen City LPGA Championship in Los Angeles last month.
“This golf course provides the opportunity to create a lot birdies if I make a good shot,” he said.
Ko, who was born in South Korea before moving to New Zealand at the age of four, also said he missed several putts.
“But I think it’s because I hit 16 or 17 green. Overall, this is a good start,” he added.
Defending champion Minjee Lee also shot five under par, matching Ko’s performance.
The leading trio each scored eight birdie without any bogey in their rounds.
Australia’s world number eight, Green, said, “It’s nice to play the easy way.”
“Last week in China, my scorecard was a bit mixed with some big numbers. So, get through the round without bogey was great, especially when I hit 18 green,” he said.
“I only missed one fairways throughout the round,” he said again.
South Korean Ryu Hae-ran was one shot behind the leaders after posting a 65.
The world number two from the United States, Lilia Vu, finished the day at one under par, while the winner of two major titles, Yuka Saso, was three under par. – AFP
