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September 19, 2009

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Home » Sports » Golf

Korean duo shares lead in San Diego

Source: Agencies | September 19, 2009, Saturday | Print Edition

SOUTH Koreans Kim Song-hee and Shin Ji-yai each shot 6-under 66s to share the lead atop the elite 20-player field in the opening round of the Samsung World Championship at Torrey Pines in San Diego on Thursday.

Kim was the runner-up in this tournament last year, losing by one stroke to Paula Creamer at Half Moon Bay in Northern California. Kim started strong, with five birdies in her first eight holes on the South Course. Shin, coming off her US LPGA Tour-leading third victory of the year at the NW Arkansas Championship, had four birdies on the back nine.

Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa of Mexico and Sophie Gustafson of Sweden were one stroke behind the leaders on a perfect, calm day on the blufftop municipal course overlooking the Pacific Ocean, where Tiger Woods claimed his epic win in the 2008 US Open.

Shin even had a Tiger moment on the par-5, 480-yard 18th. She said she couldn't reach the green in two shots during two practice rounds, but the pin was moved forward 18 yards on Thursday and she reached in two, then two-putted for birdie.

"So last year Tiger won, I watched on the TV, and then he made a great birdie," she said, recalling the hole where Woods made a 12-foot birdie on the final hole to force an 18-hole playoff with Rocco Mediate, then made a 4-foot birdie in the playoff the next day to force sudden death.

Kim said she had an "easy birdie. So I was really surprised. It's an easy 18 holes."

Gustafson had an eagle, five birdies and two bogeys.

"Well, I certainly recognize most of the holes, for example the seventh," she said. "That's where they finished the US Open, and they must have been, you know, way back."

Eleven players were under par and three were even. The main reasons were the lack of wind and pin placements, Ochoa said.

"It's set up for a low day. I'm just glad I took advantage of that and I am right there where I should be," Ochoa said. "You never know, tomorrow the wind gets a little more and the combination with tough pin placements, maybe even par is a great round."

Yardage was listed at 6,721, but some holes were shortened, particularly some of the par-5s.

Ai Miyazato of Japan and Juli Inkster were tied for fifth at 68. Inkster, a three-time winner, received an exemption.
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