Lee, Kung lead in Singapore
Australia's Minjee Lee and Candie Kung of Taipei share the lead after the first round of the HSBC Women's Champions in Singapore after firing a five-under 67 on Thursday.
The 19-year-old Lee was in red hot form with birdies on the first, fourth and 13th holes with an eagle on the par-five 12th. She bogeyed the par-three 17th, but at the par-five 18th she made a birdie to finish with a 67.
"I played steady, pretty solid, hit some good shots and just seized my birdie opportunities, pretty much," said Lee afterwards.
Kung looked very solid in her opening round with birdies on the second, fourth, seventh, 10th and 18th holes and also picking up an eagle on the par-five 12th.
Her only blemishes on a near-perfect day were two bogeys at the par-four 13th and par-four 15th holes for her round of 67.
One stroke behind are four players – defending champion Inbee Park of South Korea, Suzann Pettersen (Norway), Lee-Anne Pace (South Africa) and Mika Miyazato of Japan.
World number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand shot 71 and is joint-27th with the likes of 2013 HSBC winner Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson.
Leading first round scores:
T1 Candie Kung -5 (67)
T1 Minjee Lee
T3 Suzann Pettersen -4 (68)
T3 Mika Miyazato
T3 Lee-Anne Pace
T3 Inbee Park
T7 Sun-Ju Ahn -3 (69)
T7 Mi Hyang Lee
T7 Ilhee Lee
T7 Shanshan Feng
T7 Mirim Lee
T12 Hyo Joo Kim -2 (70)
T12 Pernilla Lindberg
T12 Anna Nordqvist
T12 Kris Tamulis
T12 Na Yeon Choi
T12 Pornanong Phatlum
T12 Gerina Piller
T12 Sandra Gal
T12 Cristie Kerr
T12 Angela Stanford
T12 Chella Choi
T12 Brooke M. Henderson
T12 Hee Young Park
T12 Carlota Ciganda
T12 Ha Na Jang
Latest
-
NewsJon Rahm and Sergio Garcia lead by example as Europe target improbable fightback
The United States hold a 9-3 advantage.
-
NewsBryson DeChambeau called ‘classless’ for complaints over putt not being conceded
The American did not seem happy that he had been made to putt as he laid his putter on ground after taking his shot.
-
NewsJustin Thomas and Daniel Berger hit the beer as USA take commanding lead
With the United States holding a 9-3 lead they clearly felt in the mood to get the party started as they whipped up the home fans.
-
NewsJon Rahm and Sergio Garcia carry European fight but USA build dominant 9-3 lead
Rahm and Garcia recovered from losing the first three holes to beat Koepka and Daniel Berger 3 and 1.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington defends decision to leave Rory McIlroy out of foursomes
McIlroy had played 26 straight matches since making his debut at Celtic Manor in 2010.
-
NewsPadraig Harrington still counting on Rory McIlroy despite foursomes omission
The European Ryder Cup captain indicated McIlroy would play the afternoon fourballs and said “we need him for the singles”.
-
Ryder CupRyder Cup Day 2: Can Europe fight back after USA’s dominant start?
The hosts powered into a 6-2 lead on day one at Whistling Straits to leave Padraig Harrington’s men with a mountain to climb.
-
NewsRyder Cup day one: Rory McIlroy confident Europe can recover from 6-2 down
Padraig Harrington’s side lost both sessions on the opening day 3-1 and won just one match outright.
-
NewsRory McIlroy reduced to a spectator as Europe struggle in Ryder Cup
The four-time major winner will not appear in the Saturday foursomes, with Jon Rahm and Sergio Garcia sent out first again.
-
NewsRyder Cup day one: Rory McIlroy confident Europe can recover from 6-2 down
The Northern Irishman lost twice in the same day for the first time and did not even reach the 16th hole.