Shibuno in lead at Mission Hills
Three players trail by one stroke
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Hinako Shibuno’s first impression of Mission Hills Country Club was far from confidence-inspiring — and, in hindsight, mistaken.
“It was a hard course for me. I couldn’t even imagine I could play here,” the 23-yearold from Japan said through a translator Friday, recalling the initial time she played the event now known as The Chevron Championship.
A year and a half after tying for 51st in her debut, she took a one-stroke lead into the weekend on the mountain-framed course hosting the major championship for the last time. The tournament that started in 1972 and became a major in 1983 is shifting to Houston next year after failing to attract a sponsor willing to keep it at Mission Hills.
Shibuno opened with a tap-in birdie on the par-4 first and had another on the par-4 10th. “That makes it easier to play golf,” she said.
The 2019 Women’s British Open champion chipped in on the par-4 13th for the last of her seven birdies, against a lone bogey in warm and sunny morning conditions. She’s sticking with the routine that has worked so far.
“I’m going to do just same thing,” Shibuno said. “I’m going to eat, and I’m going to sleep.”
Defending champion Patty Tavatanakit (69), Annie Park (67) and Jennifer Kupcho
(70) were one stroke back. Sei Young Kim (67) and Hyo Joo Kim (67) followed at 7 under.
“I feel like I left a lot out there,” Tavatanakit said. “But at the same time, that’s just golf. There is no way you’re going to have a perfect day with no mistakes. ”
She closed with birdies on
the par-3 17th and par-5 18th.
“I think 17 was definitely a bonus with that pin position,” Tavatanakit said. “It kind of got my momentum going, knowing 18 was an up tee, so I knew I had a chance to get another birdie.”
■ PGA: At San Antonio,
Ryan Palmer shot a bogey-free 6-under 66 for a 10-under 134 total and a two-stroke lead at the Valero Texas Open’s midpoint. Kevin Chappell
(65), the 2017 winner who shot the day’s low round, was tied for second with Dylan Frittelli (66) and Matt Kuchar (69). Hideki Matsuyama (sore neck) withdrew after nine second-round holes, leaving early ahead of his Masters title defense next week.
■ USGA: At Augusta, Ga., Florida State senior Beatrice Wallin shot 1-under 71 to tie Louisiana State junior Latanna Stone (72) for the Augusta National Women’s Amateur lead at even-par 144 entering the final round. Three players were one shot back. No. 1-ranked Rose Zhang, an 18-year-old from Irvine, California, was three behind.
■ Champions: At Biloxi, Miss., Padraig Harrington and Tim Herron each shot 5-under 72 to share the Rapiscan Systems Classic’s first-round lead. Stephen Ames and David Mckenzie were one stroke back, and six players were two shots behind.