CINCINNATI — Xiyu Lin (China) opened with five birdies on six holes. He birdied all except one of the par 5, and had an 8 under 64 on Thursday, giving him a one shot lead over Nasa Hatakeka in the Kroger Queen City Championship.
The LPGA Tour returned to Cincinnati after 33 years. They were greeted by a beautiful day at Kenwood Country Club and lots of good scoring.
Gianna Clemente (14 years old) was outstanding and qualified for Monday qualifying. This week, she will have a chance to play all four rounds of the LPGA Tour. Clemente was bogey-free for a score of 70.
It didnt include Lexi Thompson. Thompson was unable to make a birdie in her round 76, one week after she finished in the final group. This was her highest score at an LPGA event. When she missed the cut at the Womens British Open, Thompson shot a 77 at Muirfield.
Lin is coming off a tie at the Dana Open seventh, showing signs that she is still in good shape after a strong start to the year. She opened the afternoon with three straight birdies on her back nine, then made par and added two more.
Lin said that it was a dream start. Lin stated that Lin could not have asked for a better start. So I just tell my self, Needs to keep going.
She made her lone bogey on the par-4 seventh towards the end of her round. Hataoka responded with her ninth birdie to regain the lead.
I still need to adjust my tee shots but other than that my iron and putting are good. Hataoka stated that he just needs to keep going.
Clemente, a split-timer from her native Ohio and Florida, lost in the U.S. championship match. Junior Girls this year.
She made it through Monday qualifying for Canada, but missed the cut. She then tried again for Dana Open outside Toledo, but missed the cut.
The teenager only made two birdies and made very few mistakes in her third attempt. She wasnt completely satisfied.
I feel good about it. It could have been a little more. Clemente stated that there were a few putts I could have made. It was fine. It was all right.
A Lim Kim, a former U.S Womens Open champion and Sarah Kemp were at 66. Atthaya Thtikul, a former Womens PGA champion from Thailand, was at 67. Sei Young Kim.
Paula Creamer won the most exciting round in her second tournament since having her first child. She shot a 72, which was not even. Creamer shot a par-four fifth hole eagle from 104 yards. Creamer shot a hole-in one three holes later with a 7iron.
This is two eagles in a round, and three birdies. However, she had five bogeys as well as a double-bogey. She had to accept the fact that she was not within the cut line heading into Friday.
I made a lot putting mistakes and made some mental mistakes here and there. My scorecard is a rollercoaster. Creamer said that this is golf.
I feel satisfied with where my game stands. She said that although it is up and down, she needs to keep going with what shes doing. I really believe it will produce great things here eventually.