Solid start: Ko third after late bogey
Lydia Ko i s one shot behind the leaders at the PGA Championship after a late bogey cost her a share of top spot.
Ko was tied for the lead heading into the final hole only to shoot a five on the par- four 18th, one of t wo bogeys on her scorecard, to finish with a t wo- under 68 after the first round at Arnonimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania.
The Kiwi former world No 1 trails American Brittany Lincicome and Kelly Tan, of Malaysia, to sit in a sixway tie for third in the third major of the year.
Ko was happy with her round, considering the tough, windy conditions.
“I felt like I hit the ball really solid, tried to hit as many fairways and greens as I could,” Ko said. “It was tough out there with it being breezy. I feel like every day, even though the wind might say like 10 or 12 miles an hour, it always feels a bit higher than that. So I tried to play consistent and feel like I’ve done that well. Hopefully I’m going to continue doing that.”
After falling down the world rankings following a stretch of disappointing results, the 23- year- old has made steady progress this year under new swing coach Sean Foley and hopes to keep moving in the right direction over the weekend.
“I know that with everything, it takes time to get used to things,” she said. “I feel like especially the fiveweek stretch kind of gave me the confidence and belief that I’m moving in the right direction.
“This is a very tricky golf course, and I think you really have to be focused out there. With the breeze being up the last few days, the greens have really dried out.
“Being below the hole and giving yourself more uphill looks for birdies and pars is going to be some of the big keys. Nice to start with a solid round and hopefully I’ll keep the good momentum going for the rest of the week.”
On the PGA Tour, Danny Lee carded a one- under opening round at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, but is in a share of 106th, eight shots off the lead held by US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau. Only 18 players in the 144- man field shot over par.