Jin Young Ko is the world’s most dominant player on any world tour and she’s at it again at the LPGA Tour’s JTBC Classic in Carlsbad.
Ko, the world’s No. 1, shot a sparkling seven-under par 65 and has the first round lead by two shots at the Aviara Golf Club.
This is Ko’s first event in the U.S. as she prepares for next week’s first major championship of the year — The Chevron (formerly the ANA).
Ko’s 67 extended her streak of consecutive rounds under par to 31 — she laso has a Tour record 16 consecutive rounds in the 60s.
When asked if she thinks about her records, she gave an honest answer:
“I would say yes,” she said quickly. “And also, it’s great, feels great to record like one step at a time.”
This is Ko’s first time competing in the U.S. since last November’s CME Group Tour Championship, which she won. Ko’s parents are in San Diego with her for the first time, and her mom likes the area so much she’s ready to buy a house.
“I said, ‘Do you know how much the house is here?’ ” said Ko, laughing about the high real estate prices in San Diego.
Her parents will be with her on the road in the states through the U.S. Women’s Open in June. Ko said she can hear her mom cooking and washing dishes from her room and has mixed feelings about the situation. On the one hand, it feels like home. On the other hand, she doesn’t want to see mom work too hard.
“I feel little sad,” said Ko, “because my mom is not too young right now, but not old, but I’m only child, so she wants to make me play better all season, so she wasted the energy for me, to me.”
Tied at 67 behind Ko were Cheyenne Knight, Genna Dryburgh and Jyo-Jin Choi. Lydia Ko was one of four players at four-under par.
Pablo Larazabal Opens With 64 At Qatar Masters:
Pablo Larazabal is having a resurgent year on the DP World Tour and he had a great opening round at the Qatar Masters on Thursday.
The Spanish veteran shot an eight-under par 64 to take the first round lead.
Adrian Meronk was the early 36-hole leader in the Friday morning wave at the Doha Golf Club. He added a two-under par 70 to his opening 66 and was in at eight-under as Larazabal was just starting his second round.
Ramaine Langasque finished the 36-hole mark at seven-under (66-71).
 Leads At JTBC Classic){kind=link}