NAPLES, Fla. — Lydia KoShe began her quest to win the largest prize in women’s golf history by hitting a hole and making bogey on par 5. The CME Group Tour Championship was a great success.
Ko responded with eight birdies including four in a row at Tiburon Golf Club late in the round. This gave Ko a 7-under 65 score and a one shot lead in the LPGA Tour season finale.
This week, so much is at stake, even beyond the $2,000,000 prize for the winner.
Ko is currently leading the race for LPGA Tour player the year by one point. Ko would seem to be in the running to win Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average. Both are worth a point in order to qualify for LPGA Hall of Fame.
If Im holding my trophy, all the trophies, or no trophy,… Ko stated, I just want to have an enjoyable week. These opportunities don’t come along very often. Its rare that these opportunities are available so I will try to grab it as soon as it comes.
Its all good for Ko, who has won two in what she considers her best year on the LPGA Tour.
There are also many challengers.
Danielle KangAnd Pajaree AnannarukarnThailand was at 66 Gemma DryburghScotland and Hyo Joo KimSouth Korea was at 67, and the group at. 68 Nelly KordaAnd Brooke Henderson.
Korda missed four months of this year due to surgery for a bloodclot in her left arm. She is now back to full strength. Her victory at Pelican golf club on the coast last week allowed her to return as No. 1. in the womens global ranking.
Henderson had to pull out last week due to back pain. The Canadian wasnt sure she would be able play. She made a slight adjustment to her swing and was able to play Tiburon with a respectable score of 68.
Henderson is a strong candidate for player of the Year, but she would need to win and have Ko Minjee LeeFinish third or worse
Lee opened with a 71, setting an LPGA Tour record of $3.7 million in earnings. Atthaya ThitikulThe 19-year-old Thai teenager who reached No. The 19-year old Thai teenager who reached No.
Ko couldnt stop laughing at her opening of the tournament, when she hit a branch.
He said, Its almost as if I had two tee shot. Even though I bogeyed par 5, I knew that there were many holes that would play downwind. I tried not to get frustrated. The first four holes in wind are a monster. I knew that if you can keep your cool and remain patient, there will be plenty of opportunities.
I was capable to grab a lot on the back nine.
It all started with a hole-in-one. She chipped quickly from just off the 13th hole and watched the ball run 12 feet by the hole. Ko made the par putt and was on her way, making four consecutive birdies. It helped that both were par 5.
Korda lost an easy birdie opportunity on the par-5 17th because she drove it so far she had only 159 yards. She came up short and didnt get up-and down. This was due to what she called getting too easily taken in by the end.
Korda was eligible for all the awards last season. Jin Young KoShe beat her, making it the 3rd consecutive year that the South Korean star won at Tiburon.
It will be difficult to make it four consecutive times. Jin Young KoShe opened with a 72, as she continues to manage an ailing left hand.
