Ariya one ahead in Shanghai
SHANGHAI: World No.2 Ariya Jutanugarn shot a blemish-free 66 to take the firstround lead in the inaugural Buick LPGA Shanghai tournament yesterday.
The Thai golfer, who took the US Women’s Open crown earlier this year and is gunning for her fourth win of the season, birdied holes four through six to start hot and cruise to six under for the day.
“I always have so much fun when I play in Asia,” said Ariya, who added her key was “just not to expect anything. Just go out have fun and enjoy everything.”
im Sei-Young of South Korea and Danielle Kang of the United States tied for second after each posted a five-under 67 at the par-72 Qi Zhong Garden Golf Club.
Kang credited her improved play to new coach Butch Harmon.
“We just kind of simplify the game a lot,” the American said. “Just trying to calm it down and get back to how I used to play. Just more feel golf. Thinking less mechanics and going with the flow.”
Kang tied for third last week at the KEB Hana Bank championship in Incheon, South Korea.
“Today’s round went very smooth,” Kang said. “Coming off very good momentum after last week, and I’ve been hitting the ball really well, playing great. I’ve just been trusting my game and just keep giving myself birdie chances. They kept rolling in.”
Co-sanctioned by the US LPGA and the China LPGA, the new Shanghai event becomes just the second official LPGA tournament staged in China.
The event, with a US$2.1 million purse, joins the Blue Bay LPGA, which tees of next month on southern China’s Hainan Island.
A pack of six golfers were tied at fourunder 68 in Shanghai, including world No.5 Minjee Lee of Australia, Paula Creamer of the United States and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko.
Local favourite and former world No.1 Feng Shanshan of China remained within range of the leaders at even par, with world No.1 Park Sung-Hyun of South Korea a stroke further back.
LEADING FIRST ROUND SCORES (Par-72)
66 — Ariya Jutanugarn (THA)
67 — Kim Sei-Young (KOR), Danielle Kang (USA)
68 — Minjee Lee (AUS), Lizette Salas (USA), Paula Creamer (USA), Lydia Ko (NZL), Liu Wenbo (CHN), Ryann O’Toole (USA)
69 — Hsu Wei-Ling (TPE), Liu Yu (CHN), Brittany Lincicome (USA), Ryu So-Yeon (KOR), Su Oh (AUS), Annie Park (USA), Bronte Law (ENG), Jane Park (USA)
70 — Carlota Ciganda (ESP), Nelly Korda (USA), Amy Yang (KOR), Sakura Yokomine (JPN)
71 — Jacqui Concolino (USA), Pernilla Lindberg (SWE), Brittany Altomare (USA), Aditi Ashok (IND), Lee JeongEun (KOR), Ally McDonald (USA), Pornanong Phatlum (THA), Mariah Stackhouse (USA), Lee Mi-Hyang (KOR), Azahara Munoz (ESP), Megan Khang (USA)
72 — Feng Shanshan (CHN), Ko Jin-Young (KOR), Marina Alex (USA), Caroline Masson (GER), Jodi Ewart Shadoff (ENG), Ashleigh Buhai (RSA), Lindy Duncan (USA), Jenny Shin (KOR)
Selected scores 75 — Thidapa Suwannapura (THA) 76 — Moriya Jutanugarn (THA)