Henderson and Li share lead at LPGA season opener in Florida

Canada’s Brooke Henderson and South Korean Eun-Hee Ji share a one-shot lead at the LPGA’s season-opening Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions.
Still only 21, World No 9 Henderson is already a seven-time LPGA Tour winner, and she’s wasted little time in getting back to her best in 2019.
The Ontario native mixed seven birdies and a lone bogey in her six-under-par 65 to share the first-round lead with former US Women’s Open champion Ji, who made six birdies in a bogey-free round.
The season-opening Tournament of Champions is only for LPGA winners each of the last two years. Along with the professional competition, celebrities and athletes also compete for a $500,000 prize fund using the modified Stableford scoring system, giving the tournament the relaxed feel of a pro-am.
Tennis player Mardy Fish led that field with 39 points for a two-point lead over a group that included retired baseball pitcher Mark Mulder.
"I was hitting it well today and making putts, so that's all you can really ask for."@BrookeHenderson caught up with @TheAmyRogers after earning a share of the lead in the @diamondresorts Tournament of Champions following her first round 65 (-6).#DiamondLPGA pic.twitter.com/grwbtMHJXf
— LPGA (@LPGA) 17 January 2019
“I had to remind myself it wasn’t Wednesday afternoon, it was Thursday, and I had to get a good score together,” said Henderson, who was in a group with former NBA star Ray Allen. “I think that’s when things kicked in on the front nine. I started getting a couple of birdies to recover from that bogey, and then from there I was ready to go and made a lot of birdies.”
Henderson and Ji lie one shot clear of two former World No 1s – Lydia Ko of New Zealand and American Stacy Lewis.
Lewis is playing her first tournament since becoming a mother three months ago.
“Pleasantly surprised,” Lewis said. “Had pretty low expectations going into the day. Just really made a lot of putts. I had some weird shots, which I knew was going to happen having not played in a while. I don’t know where it came from, but I’m going to take it.”
Current World No 1 Ariya Jutanugarn opened with a 67 to lie just two shots back alongside Lexi Thompson and Mirim Lee.
Latest
-
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.
-
News
Max Homa: Tiger Woods now understands the respect he commands from his peers
Homa has made no secret of his admiration for Woods.
-
Ryder Cup
Bernard Gallacher fears Greg Norman is not the man for compromise with LIV Golf
Players who have resigned from the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf will not be eligible for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
LPGA Tour
Brooke Henderson takes two-shot lead into final round of Evian Championship
South Korea’s Ryu So-yeon climbed into outright second place on 15 under.