Chilly Ko runs hot on a favourite course
Lydia Ko is back on top at one of her favourite courses.
Ko shot a 4-under 68 on a chilly morning at the LPGA MEDIHEAL Championship for a share of the firstround lead. Jessica Korda, Caroline Hedwall, In-Kyung Kim and Su Oh joined Ko atop the leaderboard in the LPGA Tour’s return to Lake Merced, San Francisco after a year away.
“This is a golf course where you need to drive the ball well and putt well,” said Ko, the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic winner at the course in 2014 and 2015.
Ko eagled the par-5 fifth and had four birdies and a bogey. The New Zealander has 14 LPGA Tour wins, the last in July 2016.
“It’s nice to come back to a place where you feel super-welcomed,” Ko said. “It just brings back a lot of great memories. My family and friends are here this week, so I’m hoping that I’m going to continue the solid play.” Ko turned 21 on Tuesday.
“I don’t think I feel a huge difference, but I know turning 21 is a huge thing in the US,” Ko said, “I’m legal and I can do some fun things now.”
● Danny Lee shares 63rd place at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, which is operating under a team format. Lee and Swede David Lingmerth are struggling in an 80-strong field after carding a fourunder 68 playing four-ball.
● In China, Ryan Fox made the cut but was well off the pace after an even par second round of 72 left him on two-under par at the halfway stage of the China Open. AP