One-Shot Lead for Imhyang Lee in Meijer LPGA Classic Round 1
Chance for Third Career Win Since Ladies Scottish Open
Grace Kim in Second Place, Choi Hyejin Tied for 24th
Imhyang Lee showcased a perfect round.
On June 12 (local time), during the first round of the Meijer Classic (total prize money: $3 million) on the LPGA Tour, held at Blythefield Country Club (par 72, 6,611 yards) in Belmont, Michigan, USA, she collected one eagle and six birdies without a single bogey. She claimed the top spot on the leaderboard with an 8-under-par 64, seizing the opportunity for her third career victory, which would be her first in eight years since the 2017 Ladies Scottish Open.
Imhyang Lee is reading the putting line on the green of the 17th hole in the first round of the Meijer LPGA Classic. Belmont, USA - AFP·Yonhap News
Lee finished the front nine with four consecutive birdies from holes 5 to 8. On the back nine, she made an eagle on the 10th hole (par 5) and added two more birdies on the 14th and 17th holes. Her shot accuracy stood out, as she missed only two fairways and two greens. Her average driving distance was 264 yards, and she recorded 27 putts for the round. Before this tournament, her best finish of the year was a tie for sixth at the Ford Championship in March.
Grace Kim (Australia) is in pursuit, standing in second place by one stroke (7-under-par 65). Rookie Akie Iwai (Japan) is tied for third (6-under-par 66), and Minjee Lee (Australia) is tied for sixth (5-under-par 67). Among Korean players, Jeon Ji-won is tied for sixth, while Choi Hyejin, Yoo Hae-ran, and Lee Somi finished the first round tied for 24th (3-under-par 69). Ko Jin-young and Yoon Ina are tied for 100th (1-over-par 73).
This tournament is being held ahead of the major KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, resulting in the absence of several top players. World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA), No. 2 Atthaya Thitikul (Thailand), and No. 3 Lydia Ko (New Zealand) are all absent. Among the participants, Yoo Hae-ran, ranked fifth in the world, is the highest-ranked player in the field.
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