Meyer Classic Day 1: 4 Under Par, Jutanugarn Tied 5th, Choi Woon-jung Tied 7th, Ko Jin-young Tied 38th
Park In-bee is teeing off at the 7th hole on the first day of the Meijer Classic. Grand Rapids, USA = Getty Images / Multibits
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Golf Queen’ Park In-bee (33, KB Financial Group) has made a refreshing start.
On the 18th (Korean time), at the Blythefield Country Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA (par 72, 6,556 yards), Park scored 4-under par on the first day of the LPGA Tour Meijer Classic (total prize money $2.3 million), placing her tied for 18th. Hataoka Nasa (Japan), Leona Maguire (Ireland), Charley Hull (England), and Lauren Stephenson (USA) are tied for the lead at 7-under par 65, while Ariya Jutanugarn (Thailand) and Li Min (Taiwan) are tied for 5th at 6-under par 66.
Park started at the 10th hole (par 5) and collected five birdies (one bogey). Over 12 holes, she recorded two birdies and one bogey for 1-under par. However, she raised her position by making two pairs of ‘stepping stone birdies’ on the back nine at holes 4, 6, and 8. Her precise tee shots missed the fairway only once, and two bunker saves were impressive. She is three strokes behind the co-leaders, aiming for her second win of the season and 22nd career victory since the Kia Classic last March.
Park is currently focusing on defending her Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics this July. She has shown consistency by finishing in the top 10 six times, including one win, in eight tournaments. She ranks first in scoring average (69.32), fourth in Player of the Year points (69 points), fourth in CME Globe Race points (1,472 points), and sixth in earnings ($768,014). Although she finished tied for 29th at last week’s Mediheal Championship, she successfully turned the momentum around with a strong performance this day.
Hataoka displayed flawless play with seven birdies and no bogeys. This marks her first win of the season and fourth career victory. Rookie Maguire also joined the win race by shooting 7-under par. Jutanugarn is one stroke behind the leader, setting a stepping stone for her second win of the season. Jessica and Nelly Korda sisters, along with Lexi Thompson (all USA), are tied for 18th. Defending champion Brooke Henderson (Canada) struggled, tied for 128th at 3-over par 75.
Korea’s Choi Woon-jung (31, Volvik) is performing well, tied for 7th at 2 strokes behind (5-under par 67). Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) is tied for 18th after recording five birdies following a bogey on the 2nd hole. ‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young (26), who rested last week, started steadily tied for 38th (3-under par 69). The inaugural champion in 2014, Lee Mi-rim (31, NH Investment & Securities), along with Park Sung-hyun (28) and Kim Ah-rim (26, SBI Savings Bank), are tied for 86th at even par 72.
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