Pajaree shoots 66, trails leader Ko by 1
NAPLES: New Zealand’s Lydia Ko produced a blistering finish to her first round to grab the lead at the CME Group Tour Championship on Thursday after shooting a seven-under-par 65.
Ko, aiming for her third LPGA Tour win of the season, birdied four straight holes before settling for a par on the 18th hole as she ended the opening round a shot ahead of Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn and American Danielle Kang at the season-ending tournament in Florida.
The 60-player field at Tiburon Golf Club is battling for a US$2 million winners prize, the biggest in the history of women’s golf. The no-cut tournament has a total purse of $7 million.
The 25-year-old Ko, who won this event in 2014, recovered from a bogey on the par-five first hole before hitting a hot streak on the back nine.
“It wasn’t the start I envisioned going to sleep last night but I knew that there was plenty of golf to be played. With the wind being up there was always going to be a tough start on the early holes, I just had to be patient,” she said.
Pajaree also had to contend with an early bogey, in her case on the par-four third, but she responded immediately with an eight foot putt for birdie on the fourth at the start of a run of four straight birdies.
“I just really tried not to think too much on that bogey, just tried to stay patient and just move on,” she said.
Compatriot Moriya Jutanugarn hit a 71 to stay joint 23rd.
World No.2 Atthaya Thitikul shot a one-over 73, one shot ahead of fellow Thai Ariya Jutanugarn.
Patty Tavatanakit, another Thai in the field, was last following a six-over 78.