Ko blown off course as Lin leads
Print Edition
World No. 1 Lydia Ko endured one of the worst rounds of her fledgling career yesterday as the New Zealand teenager limped to a 5-over-par 77 during the first round of the Blue Bay LPGA Tour event on Hainan Island in south China.
The 18-year-old’s struggles on the lengthy Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course left Ko 10 shots off the early pace set by China’s Lin Xiyu, who cruised to a bogey-free 5-under 67.
The US$2-million event is the penultimate leg of the LPGA Tour’s five-tournament Asian swing which has seen Ko retake the top spot in the world rankings from South Korea’s Park In-bee after two top-five finishes and a win in Chinese Taipei last week.
Following her nine-shot win in Chinese Taipei, Ko did not arrive in China until Wednesday which could have been a factor in her sluggish start — a par.
Ko went double bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey from the second with another two dropped shots on the 11th and 12th leaving her at 7-over. She recovered with two late birdies to sign for a 77, one less than a 6-over 78 she carded at the Kia Classic in California last year.
Lin has also enjoyed a solid Asian swing to rise up to 72nd in the world rankings. She began her round with a birdie three and another gain at the par-3 17th allowed her to move one clear of American Austin Ernst (68).
Blustering winds made scoring tougher as the day went on with the lead duo among a group of only 10 players under par, including American world No. 3 Stacy Lewis (71).
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