Celine Boutier in front as Choi Na-yeon returns

Celine Boutier notched an eight-under-par 68 to claim a one-shot lead after the first round of the Bank of Hope Founders Cup on Thursday.
The French golfer finished her round with a birdie putt on the par-four ninth to move ahead of a group of five players on seven-under.
Boutier won her maiden title on the LPGA Tour at the Vic Open in Australia last month.
“It’s definitely made me more confident in my game, my ability to win out here,” Boutier said of her recent run of good form.
“I feel like I was kind of lacking that confidence last year.”
Eight birdies. No bogeys. Incredible round from leader @celineboutier!
Check out her first round highlights now!
WATCH ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/rzMerB5IBm
— #DriveOn (@LPGA) March 22, 2019
While Boutier has the 18-hole lead, Choi Na-yeon was the center of attention for most of the day’s play, as the South Korean was playing in her first tournament in 11 months.
The 2012 US Women’s Open champion struggled with a recurring back injury and a long break from competitive play looks to have reinvigorated the 31-year-old.
“I just kept playing golf and my swing got worse and worse and hitting my ball going left and right,” said Choi, who fired an opening round 65 to finish in that group of players one shot behind the leader.
“My mentally was like totally broken, so I just needed my body get ready first.”
After she stopped, Choi took a European vacation as the first part of her recovery from injury, while looking for a fresh perspective what she wanted to do with her life.
“I didn’t think about golf,” Choi continued. “I didn’t set the alarm every day. I just wake up whenever I wanted and I just ate whatever I want.
“It was a different life. I was kind of a robot when I was growing up and then playing golf well in LPGA Tour. I was living in the box. I couldn’t do anything besides golf. Only golf, only golf. Like 100 percent focused on golf.”
Alana Uriell, Charlotte Thomas, Ko Jin-young and Nanna Koerstz Madsen joined Choi are the other players on seven-under.
One stroke further behind is another group, including world number one Park Sung-hyun, Jenny Shin, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum and Cheyenne Knight.
Top-ranked Park Sung-hyun, Jenny Shin, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Thailand’s Pornanong Phatlum and Cheyenne Knight shot 66.
Latest
-
PGA Tour
Injury rules Open champion Cameron Smith out of BMW Championship
The Australian world number two currently sits third in the FedEx Cup standings, 1,132 points behind leader Will Zalatoris.
-
PGA Tour
Will Zalatoris triumphs in dramatic playoff to claim first PGA Tour win
The American defeated Austria’s Sepp Straka in three extra holes at TPC Southwind – despite not making a birdie.
-
News
Ewen Ferguson seals wire-to-wire victory at ISPS Handa World Invitational
The 26-year-old Scot also won the Qatar Masters in March.
-
Ryder Cup
New Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald motivated by ‘bitter’ memories of 2021 defeat
Stenson was stripped of the role for breaking his contract by joining the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
The task facing Luke Donald after replacing Henrik Stenson
Stenson was appointed on March 15 and said he was fully committed to a role before signing with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald named Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
Donald replaces Henrik Stenson after he was stripped of the role.
-
PGA Tour
Tony Finau claims second straight PGA Tour victory
The American won the 3M Open in his previous outing.
-
News
Henrik Stenson cushions Ryder Cup blow with £3.6m debut win in LIV Golf
The Swede was stripped of his role as Europe captain after joining the Saudi-backed breakaway tour.
-
News
Former Masters champion Bubba Watson becomes latest player to join LIV Golf
The left-hander is currently sidelined by a knee injury and is not expected to play until next season,
-
Ryder Cup
Luke Donald tipped to replace Henrik Stenson as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain
The Swede lost the job 127 days after his appointment following his decision to join the LIV Golf series.