Park shares three-way lead

INCHEON: US Women’s Open champion Park Sung-Hyun closed with a pair of birdies to join Minjee Lee and Kim Min-Sun at the top of the leaderboard on six-under 66 after the first round of the LPGA’s US$2 million (approximately 66 million baht) Hana Bank Championship yesterday.

World No.2 Park, playing in the marquee group alongside top-ranked South Korean compatriot Ryu So-Yeon and No.3 Lexi Thompson, carded six birdies in a bogeyfree round at the SKY72 Golf and Resort.

American Thompson ended the day three strokes back after a 69 while world No.1 Ryu carded an even-par 72. Australia’s Lee, meanwhile, offset two bogeys with eight birdies, while Korean Kim finished her round with five straight birdies.

Thailand’s world No.7 Ariya Jutanugarn was still unable to shake off her form slump after shooting a disappointing two-over 74 to tie for 59th with 10 other golfers.

It is Ariya’s first tournament after missing the cut at the Evian Championship last month.

Pornanong Phatlum, the only other Thai in the field, was tied for 40th after a 72.

Park has enjoyed an incredible rookie season in the United States and leads Ryu and Thompson on the official money list with almost $2 million from 18 events.

Playing in the same group as her closest rivals did not faze her in the slightest yesterday.

“I can’t speak for other players from abroad, but I’ve never felt uncomfortable to have a large crowd following us. I think the larger the cheering, the more the fun was for me, so I had a really good time out there today,” she said.