So-yeon soars to the top at Mediheal Championship

LOS ANGELES: Former US Women’s Open champion Ryu So-yeon tallied seven birdies and two bogeys en route to a five-under 67 and a share of the lead with Ji Eun-hee and Anne van Dam at the Mediheal Championship.

South Korea’s So-yeon could have grabbed sole possession of the lead on Thursday but she closed her round with a bogey on the par-five ninth hole at the Lake Merced golf course.

“It is not an easy golf course,” So-yeon said. “You have to drive the ball really well. Everything has to be really great to shoot the low score.”

So-yeon has six LPGA Tour victories, winning Major titles in the 2011 US Women’s Open and 2017 ANA Inspiration.

She has had some struggles this year but she is trying to maintain a positive mindset.

“It’s really tough, because when you’re dedicated to make your game better and better, and then when you cannot really see the result right away, it can be really easy to get frustrated,” she said.

“The thing is, it’s just golf. Nothing’s really guaranteed.”

The long-hitting van Dam two-putted for birdie on the parfive 18th to cap her round of 67.

Van Dam, who teed off in the afternoon wave, bogeyed two of the first four holes.

The 23-year-old Dutchwoman stormed back with an eagle on the par-four eighth and five birdies to match morning starters So-yeon and Eun-hee.

Van Dam has four wins on the European Tour and is now trying to carry that success over to North America.

“It’s nice to finally get off to a good start in the first round,” van Dam said.

Eun-hee had six birdies and a bogey.

“It’s a really nice golf course,” she said.

“It’s really challenging on every hole, especially on the tee shot.

“You have to hit the fairways. If not, it gets into trouble on the next shot.

“So the tee shot is really important. The greens are really tough, you have to read perfect lines.” — AFP