Two-way tie for the top at Manulife LPGA Classic
Pettersen of Norway and Hyang Lee of South Korea tie in opening round
NORTH DUMFRIES — Suzann Pettersen lost her caddie to another player and lost her yardage book on the way to Manulife LPGA Classic.
Neither setback affected her Thursday.
The Norwegian veteran, who won the championship two years ago at Whistle Bear Golf Club, fired an 8-under-par 64 for a share of the opening round lead with Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea.
Shanshan Feng of China, Laura Gonzalez Escallon of Belgium and Hyo Joo Kim were one shot behind in a tie for third, while Alena Sharp of Hamilton led the Canadian contingent and was two shots behind the leaders in a three-way tie for sixth at 66.
Pettersen, with Dylan Vallequette on the bag, took advantage of the ideal morning conditions to record nine birdies in her first 13 holes. Her only blemish was a bogey on the par-4 10th.
“Every since I got here I feel like it’s kind of … a lot of the holes suit my eye. I lost my yardage book before getting here. I had to get all my new notes, which is kind of a big deal because I have a lot of good notes from the past. Had to start from scratch,” said Pettersen, who recorded her 15th career victory at Whistle Bear.
“But there are some lines, especially the way the wind is coming now, I think it plays quite deep and in my favour. We woke up this morning to perfect conditions. You can fire at pins and get to par-5s, which is fun. I think it’s the best way to set up a golf course and kind of get low scores.”
Lee tied for a share of second behind Caroline Masson at last year’s championship and picked up where she left off with a bogey-free round Thursday that included an eagle on the par-5 third hole.
“Great golf course and great condition, but a little more softer than last year, so getting more longer distance,” Lee said.
“Hopefully I can play 8-under again tomorrow, but I want to just keep playing. Then I have three more days, so hopefully getting better.”
Sharp discussed her impressive round with reporters at about the same time Brooke Henderson started her day on the 10th hole in a marquee grouping with Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand and China’s Feng.
The top Canadian at Whistle Bear last year, Sharp served notice Thursday with a round that started with a bogey on the 10th and a quick rebound with an eagle on the par-5 12th.
She counted four additional birdies to finish off her day.
“Well, the conditions are perfect and we’re playing the ball up, so I knew the scores were going to be low today, because you have a perfect lie if you hit the fairway,” she said.
“I knew what I needed to do shoot a low round. But you don’t really want to think about a score in your mind. The way I’m hitting it I knew I was going to have a lot of chances, and I took advantage the par-5s. I was 5under on those, so that really helped me out.”
Thirteen Canadians competed Thursday and it was Brittany Marchand of Orangeville that stunned most observers by shooting a 5-under 67.
The Symetra Tour regular, who posted seven birdies to go along with a pair of bogeys, started at 7:30 a.m. in front of a group that was largely comprised of family and friends.
Marchand, who is staying with a cousin while in the area, will commence her second round at 12:26 p.m. Friday and said she would try to keep her mind off golf until then.
Henderson was visibly frustrated after opening with a 1under 71 that featured three birdies, two bogeys and several close calls on the green.
The crowd favourite declined to talk with reporters after her round but did agree to a quick interview with an LPGA employee.
“The fans were unbelievable out there supporting me today. I had a great group, along with Shanshan and May (Ariya Jutanugarn). They played great. It’s always fun to watch,” she said. “I hit a lot of great shots today and just the putts didn’t fall. Hopefully few more putts drop tomorrow morning and I can climb up that leader board a little bit more.”
Augusta James of Bath, Ont., was the third-best Canadian on the day at 2-under 70 and is in a massive 19-player logjam that includes defending champion Masson.
The field will be cut to the top 70 and ties after Friday’s second round.