Flawless Lydia storms to the front
TWO-TIME major winner Lydia Ko seized the first round lead in the RM7.6 million Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia after firing a flawless round of seven-under-64 at TPC Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Lydia, who finished second at the Taiwan Championship last weekend, carded seven birdies to finish ahead of South Koreanborn Australian golfer Oh SuHyun.
“I think playing well on the weekend last week really helped me coming into this week,” said Lydia.
As she seeks her first win of the season, yesterday’s 64 was Lydia’s lowest career opening.
“I guess you never really know because when you’re out there, you never think about, hey, what’s my lowest round and all that.”
Su-Hyun, 21, looking for her first win on the Tour, started with a bogeyless back nine but hole one was where the former world No 1 amateur recorded the dreaded double bogey.
But she recovered with ninebirdies to hold off three-players, two-time champion Shanshan Feng, South Korea’s Ji Eun-Hee and Madelene Sagstrom of Sweden.
Now, all Su-Hyun wants is a foot massage and “retail therapy” as she treats her dad, Suk Gu to a nice dinner.
“That mall (One Utama Shopping Centre) next to the hotel is pretty nice.”
Malaysia’s Nur Durriyah Damian kept her emotions in check despite a double bogey on the 17th for a 72.
Durriyah, 22, recorded three birdies and two bogeys, sharing 44th place with two compatriots, Natasha Andrea Oon and Winnie Ng.
“I’m happy actually because I didn’t get angry today. So, I’m happy with myself until the second last hole.”
The other Malaysians on the field were Michelle Koh joint 66th (75), Liyana Durisic joint 69th (77), Aretha Pan joint 74th (79), Zulaikah Nurziana Nasser 76th (81) and Kelly Tan 77th (82). Farah Azharie