Washington (United States) (AFP) – Nelly Korda hit an early speed bump in her bid for a third straight major title at the Women’s PGA Championship, where Yoon Ina carded a record-equaling nine-under par 63 to grab the clubhouse lead. South Korea’s Yoon didn’t put a foot wrong at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, firing nine birdies for a four-stroke lead midway through the opening round.
“I just hit the golf ball, and it just dropped in the hole,” Yoon said of a stress-free round that included 130 feet of putts. “(It) was really an awesome experience,” Yoon added after matching the lowest opening round in the history of the event. With afternoon starters on the course, her nearest rivals in the clubhouse were American Alexa Pano and South Korean Kim A-lim on five-under 67. Australian Karis Davidson was five-under through 11 holes.
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Meanwhile, world number one Korda — seeking to become just the third LPGA player to win the first three majors in a season after her victories in the Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open — made a solid enough start but found herself seven adrift, largely thanks to a costly double-bogey at the 16th. “Honestly just made one bad swing, which ended up in a double,” said the American star, who had five birdies and was four-under through 15 when she hit her tee shot into the water at 16.
“I actually think I just made too fast of a swing and I was kind of in between clubs,” Korda said. “It’s between a three-wood and a driver. You can’t lay it too far back because then you’re blocked out by the trees and you have a long shot into a pretty difficult green that is pretty undulated, so got to risk it.” Korda, who was seven off the lead after a tough first round at the US Open this month, wasn’t discouraged. “It’s definitely a confidence boost,” she said of her comeback to win a long-coveted first US Open title at Riviera. “I’m really happy with the first day.”
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