Jin Young Ko made her return to the LPGA Tour a couple of weeks ago in the Tampa area but her tie for 34th at the Pelican Women’s Open wasn’t anything to write home about.
In fact, it was world’s No. 2, Sei Young Kim, who made it two straight as she took the Pelican title after winning the PGA Championship. She’s closing the gap on Jin Young Ko and with the Women’s U.S. Open next week in Houston, it could be Kim turning up the heat.
Ko heads this week’s field at the Volunteers of America tournament at The Colony. Temperatures will be chilly at the Old American Course so the ladies best break out their cold-weather gear.
Cheyenne Knight is the defending champion. She got her first win last year with an 18-under par total.
The top-ranked Americans — Nelly Korda (3rd) and Danielle Kang (4th) are skipping this week. Korda is hoping to return at the U.S. Open as she’s been sidelined with back issues. Her sister Jessica is playing this week as is No. 5 Inbee Park and No. 7 Nasa Hataoka.
One player who planned on playing this week was Brittany Lincicome. She had to withdraw from the field after testing positive for COVID-19,
Andy Sullivan Shoots 61 In Dubai:
The European Tour will hosts events in both Dubai and South Africa this week.
On Wednesday, England’s Andy Sullivan had the “59 watch” on during the first round of the Golf In Dubai Championship. Sullivan needed three birdies on his final stretch to become the second man to accomplish the feat. He fell short but still recorded an opening 61, 11-under par on the Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
The Fire Course is a new venue for the tour. Next week’s DP World Tour Championship, the grand finale for the season, will be played on the more difficult Earth Course.
Sullivan still had the chance to make history at the par four ninth if he holed out his approach for an eagle “two”. He produced a nice approach shot which checked back and headed towards cup before settling seven feet away but he missed the birdie putt and “settled” for the 11-under par 61.
As good as his day was, Sullivan had just a two-shot lead over three players — Matt Wallace and Ross Fisher of England and Frenchman Antoine Rozner — they were all in with nine-under par 63s.
The South African Open will get underway Thursday at the Gary Player Country Club in Sun City.
