New York (AFP) – South Korea’s Lee Il-hee unfurled a trio of closing birdies to grab a share of the first-round lead at the LPGA Shoprite Classic in New Jersey on Friday. The 36-year-old journeywoman fired an eight-under-par 63 to join the United States’ Elizabeth Szokol at the top of the leaderboard at the Seaview Hotel & Golf Club course in Galloway.
Lee is playing in only her second tournament of 2025 following a missed cut at last week’s US Women’s Open. The Korean veteran has barely played at all in recent years, making just 15 tournament starts since 2020 in a career that has been derailed by a debilitating shoulder injury. But Lee, whose lone LPGA win came in the Bahamas in 2013, showed no sign of rustiness as she rattled in six birdies over the opening 10 holes to move to six under.
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A bogey on the 13th checked her progress, before birdies on 16, 17, and 18 put her into the lead. Lee, though, is not getting carried away with her impressive start, saying her focus these days is simply enjoyment. “I don’t have expectation. I just play golf,” she said. “I just come out, have fun. That’s all I do. The result is something that I can’t control.”
While Lee saved her best for last, Szokol moved into position after a blistering start that included five straight opening birdies on the way to her 68. “Just kept hitting the ball really good,” Szokol said of her start. “Hit the ball great and gave myself a lot of looks, so it was a great day.”
Japan’s Akie Iwai is two shots off the lead after carding a six-under-par 65, while seven players are lurking on five under, three shots off the lead.
© 2024 AFP
