Munoz and Ernst share lead

Azaharah Munoz and Austin Ernst share the lead after round one of the LPGA’s Kingston Championship.
Both players had strong finishes that saw them surge up the leaderboard to card a pair of six under 65’s in windy conditions in Williamsburg.
Munoz birdied four of her last seven holes for a bogey free round. While a bogey was the only blemish on Ernst’s card, five birdies and an eagle more than made up for it.
“I don’t think it’s easy,” said Munoz.
“The wind is pretty tricky, but the pins were somewhat accessible. Obviously, the course is playing is much shorter than normal because it’s warmer and drier. Holes I had been having 4-irons in, I was having 9-irons in today.”
“I’ve been having a much better attitude. When I miss a shot, I don’t let it get to me so much like I used to. I used to get pretty upset, and that really hurt me.”
Attention was firmly on Ernst after she hit six iron 182 yards to within ten feet of the pin. Ernst made the putt to eagle the par five third.
“Really just solid,” said Ernst.
“Gave myself a lot of looks, hit a lot of greens and made it really easy on myself out there on a day when it was pretty windy and it could kind of get away from you a little bit.”
“We’ll just kind of see,” she said, referring to the heavy rain that is predicted for the second round.
“I’m kind of glad I’m in the afternoon tomorrow. That way I don’t have to kind of hang out. If it does get delayed, you’re not waiting on the update every 30 minutes.”
One shot behind the leading pair is South Korea’s Hee Young Park, who was happy with her putting.
Everything is pretty good,” said the 26-year-old.
“I made a lot more putts.”
Meanwhile there is a large group of golfers on four under, including defending champion Cristie Kerr and Kraft Nabisco winner Lexi Thompson.
Latest
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton eyes Ryder Cup spot after winning Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Hatton carded a closing 66 to finish 18 under par.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship as Rory McIlroy misses out
Australia’s Jason Scrivener recorded an eagle and five birdies in a back nine of 29 to claim second place.
-
News
Rory McIlroy leads the way in Abu Dhabi as he eyes overdue victory
McIlroy will have to keep his Ryder Cup team-mates at bay if he is to claim the trophy.
-
News
Tyrrell Hatton dominant as Rory McIlroy falters in Abu Dhabi
Hatton led by five shots at the end of a second weather-affected day.
-
News
Phil Mickelson on Tiger’s latest surgery: ‘I feel bad because golf should be a game of a lifetime’
Mickelson admitted he was saddened by the news of Woods’ latest back surgery.
-
News
Rory McIlroy makes brilliant start to fog-affected Abu Dhabi Championship
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes.
-
News
Rory McIlroy shines in Abu Dhabi to take first-round lead following flawless 64
McIlroy has a remarkable record in Abu Dhabi with four second-place finishes, three thirds and a fifth in his last nine starts, but has never won.
-
News
Justin Thomas on end of Ralph Lauren deal: ‘They moved on so that’s what I’m doing as well’
Justin Thomas said he was upset by...
-
News
My last win feels a long time ago – Rory McIlroy aiming to start year on a high
McIlroy has not tasted victory since November 2019.
-
News
Rory McIlroy insists Justin Thomas will ‘try to be better’ after homophobic slur
World number three Thomas was heard using a derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt in Hawaii.