Second time’s a charm for Park

Korean takes Evian lead after Round 1 was washed out

EVIAN-LES-BAINS, FRANCE A new day, a fresh start to the final women’s major of the season and it seemed like a new Sung Hyun Park showed up Friday.

Seizing a second chance to play the first round at the Evian Championship, Park fired an 8-under 63 to lead by two shots over Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand.

That meant a 14-shot turnaround in fortunes for the No. 3-ranked South Korean.

She had been 6 over through just five holes in the rain and wind on Thursday morning before play was abandoned and all scores wiped from the record, making it a 54-hole event to be completed Sunday.

Park, the U.S. Women’s Open champion, regrouped and had seven birdies and an eagle.

“I forgot about yesterday and just focused on my play today,” Park said through a translator, acknowledging she was “surprised” that the LPGA scrapped Thursday’s play.

Tied for third, three shots back, Australia’s Katherine Kirk and Anna Nordqvist of Sweden both carded a 66. Marina Alex and Jessica Korda of the United States and Women’s British Open winner In-Kyung Kim were a further shot back at 4 under.

Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., opened with a 74, while Brittany Marchand of Orangeville, Ont., struggled to a 78.

Park played in a stellar group with top-ranked So Yeon Ryu (75), her fellow South Korean, and world No. 2 Lexi Thompson (70) of the U.S.

Ryu suffered a six-shot swing, having been 2 under and sharing the lead with Korda on Thursday when play stopped.