Former Viking superb in Asia
Alison Lee grabs share of lead in Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Valencia High School graduate Alison Lee shot a 6-under 65 on Thursday for a share of the firstround lead with China’s Xi Yu Lin in the LPGA Malaysia, the 20-year-old American’s first event since her emotional Solheim Cup debut.
Lee birdied five of the first eight holes at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club and added birdies on Nos. 12 and 14. The UCLA student bogeyed the par-3 17th and — after rain and lightning delayed play more than three hours — got up-and-down for par on the par-4 18th.
In the Solheim Cup last month in Germany, Lee was in tears after Suzann Pettersen called for the American to be penalized for picking up her ball when she mistakenly thought a short putt had been conceded in the completion of a fourballs match. Infuriated, the U.S. rallied to beat Europe in the biggest comeback in event history, with Lee winning her singles match.
“Not only did we win, but just to be able to be there and participate and be a part of something so great like that and to go into history with the biggest comeback ever,” Lee said. “Definitely learned a lot from it.”
She has been busy off the course.
“Right after Solheim I took one day off and started school right away and did my apartment and bought books and went to class, did rush,” Lee said. “I don’t know how I’m sitting here right now. I don’t know how I survived, but I did it somehow. I feel like it’s all a great experience. I love still being in school.”
Lin three-putted the 18th for her only bogey.
“I guess I was a little too aggressive trying to make another birdie,” Lin said.
Michelle Wie was a stroke back along with defending champion Shanshan Feng, Yani Tseng and Chella Choi. Finally over hip and ankle injuries, Wie had eight birdies and three bogeys.