Torrential rain and heavy wind on Thursday gave way to sunny skies and perfect playing conditions at the LPGA’s final major of the season. Here’s a look at what transpired on day one at the Evian Resort Golf Course:
There is still an outcry by local fans over the tournament being shortened to just 54 holes. The talking heads at The Golf Channel were furious as well. But as Tiger Woods often says: “It is what it is….”:
Sung Hyun Park, the world’s No. 3, got off to an incredible start with a 30 on the back nine, her first nine holes. She shot 30 and by day’s end, put seven birdies and an eagle on her scorecard for an eight-under par 63. She has a three-shot lead and is going to be very difficult to catch if she keeps it up.
So Yeon Ryu, the world’s No. 1, played with Park and had a miserable day. Her four-over par 75 will make it difficult for her to make the 36-hole cut on Saturday and she’s probably going to lose her top spot in the Rolex Rankings.
Lexi Thompson had one of those days when there simply weren’t enough birdies. She had three bogeys over the back nine, her first nine holes and lost six shots to the leader. Thompson, playing with Park, managed just one birdie over her final nine and settled for a one-under par 70, seven back.
American Jessica Korda got off to a great start and her 67 kept her in touch with leader. She was in third, a shot behind Katherine Kirk of Australia.
Ai Miyazato of Japan will be retiring from competitive golf after this event. She put herself in contention with a 68.
Surprise contender is 53-year-old Laura Davies. Davies shot 69.
Lydia Ko, who has fallen from No. 1 all the way to eighth in the world, had a steady day and shot 68.
