PALOS VERDES ESTATES, Calif. — Mi Hyang LeeFor a one stroke lead in the opening round at the DIO Implant LA Open, Thursday, she shot a 6-under 65.
Lee, a South Korean golfer who qualified in a Monday qualifying event, hit all 18 fairways in regulation, made no bogeys and closed her round with a birdie on 18th hole par-4 in difficult conditions at Palos Verdes. Players were subject to hail and rain with temperatures in the 40s.
Lee turned 30 Thursday, and called it “the most wonderful birthday round I have ever had.”
Lee is ranked 378th globally. The most recent victory was at the Ladies Scottish Open in 2017. Lee was runner up at the ANA Inspiration in 2019, a major, in 2019. She is a career-best 31st in this ranking, but has struggled in the past three years. She was tied for sixth at an Epson Tour event.
Megan Khang Hyo Joo KimLee’s friend and close friend. Each shot 66. Nasa Hataoka, Lucy Li Maude-Aimee LeBlancAnother shot was taken.
Khang, who is yet to win in eight years of playing on the LPGA Tour, stated, “You know what, I’ve come pretty near here and there.” “I tell my self that I should give myself more chances and opportunities to succeed – quote unquote – in those situations and trying get my foot through to the door. … It’s only a matter of time, I know I can do it.
Second-ranked Nelly KordaJessica and her sister Jessica were among the group at three under.
This is the fifth LA Open playing and the first at Palos Verdes. The Palos Verdes Championship was last year hosted a different event. Marina AlexThe shot by, who was 1-over 72 on Thursday.
