Kim A-Lim of South Korea challenged the winding conditions at the Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore to lead the HSBC Women’s World Championship with a blow from Charley Hull in England after the first round on Thursday.
Australia Minjee Lee, double major winner with 10 LPGA titles, was among the four players tied in the third place after hiding the 1970s at the second event of the Swing Asian LPGA.
Kim, who won the opening of the LPGA season at the Orlando Champions Tournament earlier this month, exchanged five birdies for a lonely Bogey on the 16th by five on a delicate opening day.
“The wind turned a lot and it was difficult to read,” said Kim after his first 68 round.
“But I have three other laps to learn. The winds have made the task difficult for me, but there again, everyone is also in a situation that we cannot control. We are not AI!”
Hull allocated its solid iron game for publishing a default 69.
“I am a good long iron player. I dug deeply, I stayed patient and I had some longer irons, so it played in my game,” she said.
“I just felt like I was playing quite solid. I had a good night’s sleep and it was much cooler today.”
Lee was delighted to start strongly in a tournament where her best result occurred in 2019, when she finished finalist.
“The wind was a little more delicate today. I don’t think we have ever played or practiced in such strong conditions,” said the Australian.
“I rushed very well today and I made a bunch of birdies and Bogeys.
“I hope I can get a little more consistent score in the coming days.”
Lee mixed his card with four birdies and two Bogeys.
The Olympic Champion Lydia Ko of New Zealand has carded a 71 for a part of seventh place.
Leading the scores finished after the first round of the HSBC women’s world championship:
68 – Kim A -Lim (Kor)
69 – Charley Hull (Eng)
70 – Minjee Lee (aus), Yin Ruoning (Chn), Choi Hye -Jin (Kor), Gaby Lopez (Mex)
71 – Lydia KO (NZL), Jeeno Thitikul (Tha), Carlota Ciganda (ESP), Hinako Shibo (JPN), Ayaka Furue (JPN), Amy Yang (Kor), Nanna Koerstz Madsen (DNK)
Str / PST
