Golf: Korean Duo Lead Way After Evian Opening Round
Zeeshan Mehtab Published September 15, 2016 | 11:05 PM
EVIAN, France, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News -15th Sept,2016) : Chun In Gee and Park Sung Hyun both shot eight-under-par 63 to make it a South Korean double at the top of the leaderboard after the first round of the Evian Championship.
Chun, who won the US Women's Open last year for her first and only win on the LPGA Tour, and Park, the leading light on the Korean LPGA Tour, had impressive eight-birdie rounds. That allowed them to lead by a shot from China's Feng Shanshan and American rookie Annie Park in the final major of the women's season.
New Zealand's Lydia Ko, the world number one and defending champion, was not at her best, but managed to scramble her way to a 70 and is certainly not out of touch. "I drove the ball really well on the front nine," said the teenager.
"But, from the tenth, I wasn't hitting fairways. It was a good thing that my putting and chipping was working. I made a lot of up and downs. "Opening rounds of eight and seven under par are impressive.
Every year there seems to be low scores and yet it's not easy out there, especially with the juicy grass." Chun won the US Open before joining the Tour and is now well on her way to winning the 2016 LPGA rookie honours.
She shrugged off early nerves to set an early target that Park finally matched with a birdie at the last.
"I was very nervous before I started," said 22-year-old Chun, who won two of the biggest titles -- the World Ladies' Championship and Japan Women's Open -- on the 2015 Japanese Women's Tour.
"It was windy and wet when we set out but I putted well and the rain stopped and it was a very good round." Chun has had top-10 finishes in her last three events on the LPGA Tour, and admits that playing in golf's reintroduction to the Olympic Games in Rio last month has helped her attitude.
"Rio was a really good experience," she said. "I was very proud to play golf wearing the national flag. It made golf fun again. There was a lot of pressure, but I feel I play well under pressure." Park finished joint third in the US Women's Open this year and says she feels quite at home playing alongside the world's best.
"It's my first time here," said the 22-year-old after holing an 18-foot birdie putt at the final hole. "But I feel very comfortable. It's a tough course with narrow fairways, but I drove it well." Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn, the world number two and winner of the Women's British Open in July, was playing with Chun, but had a demoralising triple-bogey seven at the 18th, her ninth hole.
She finished with a 73, four behind her older sister, Moriya.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Govt committed to developing gems, jewellery sector: Minister
Three new bills introduced in Senate
Nine dead, 1,318 injured in Punjab road accidents
Ukraine, Russia exchange fire, at least seven dead
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
Joint venture decided for action against MEPCO’s defaulters
Modern irrigation system imperative to deal with water scarcity: UAF VC
Bringing 4.4mln hectares suitable land under olive cultivation to address econom ..
One woman died after speedy bus overturned
155 killed in Tanzania as heavy rains lash East Africa
Parliament committed to resolve public issues on priority basis: Ghulam Mustafa
Collaborative Care of Diabetes Centre inaugurated in Faisalabad
More Stories From Sports
-
1st-ever National Sports Revival conference starts next month
41 minutes ago -
Usain Bolt named ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Ambassador
1 hour ago -
Wapda Inter-Unit Kabaddi Tournament to start from April 28
39 minutes ago -
Zone-VI Whites qualify for final in cricket tournament
2 hours ago -
Int’l tennis player Hamza receives cash award incentive for outstanding performance
2 hours ago -
Chief Minister KP to open Inter-Madrasa, Special Games on April 30
3 hours ago
-
Bisma Maroof retires from all cricket
39 minutes ago -
IOC Refugees Olympic Team to be announced on May 2
4 hours ago -
Bismah Maroof announces immediate retirement from international cricket
5 hours ago -
Norman sees Adelaide success as blueprint for all LIV Golf events
6 hours ago -
Mohsin Naqvi reconstitutes women’s selection committee
6 hours ago -
T20 World Cup 2024 Trophy on Pakistan tour
39 minutes ago