Singapore (AFP) – South Korea’s Kim A-lim defied windy conditions at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore to lead the HSBC Women’s World Championship by one stroke from England’s Charley Hull after Thursday’s opening round. Australia’s Minjee Lee, a two-time major winner with 10 LPGA titles, was among four players tied for third after carding matching 70s at the second event on the LPGA Asian swing.
Kim, who won the LPGA season opener at the Tournament of Champions in Orlando earlier this month, traded five birdies against a lone bogey on the par-five 16th on a tricky opening day. “The wind was swirling a lot and it was hard to read,” Kim said after her first-round 68. “But I have three more rounds to learn. The winds made it hard for me, but then again everybody is also in a situation which we cannot control. We are not AI!”
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Hull credited her strong iron play for posting a blemish-free 69. “I’m a good long iron player. I dug deep, stayed patient and got a few longer irons in, so that played into my game,” she said. “I just felt like I played pretty solid. I had a good night’s sleep and it was a lot cooler today.”
Lee was pleased to start strongly at a tournament where her best result came in 2019, when she finished runner-up. “The wind was a little trickier today. I don’t think we ever played or practised in such strong conditions before,” said the Australian. “I scrambled really well today and made a bunch of birdies and bogeys. Hopefully I can get a little more consistent scoring come the next few days.” Lee mixed her card with four birdies and two bogeys.
Olympic champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand carded a 71 for a share of seventh place.
Leading completed scores after the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship:
68 – Kim A-lim (KOR)
69 – Charley Hull (ENG)
70 – Minjee Lee (AUS), Yin Ruoning (CHN), Choi Hye-jin (KOR), Gaby Lopez (MEX)
71 – Lydia Ko (NZL), Jeeno Thitikul (THA), Carlota Ciganda (ESP), Hinako Shibuno (JPN), Ayaka Furue (JPN), Amy Yang (KOR), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DNK)
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