Pattaya, Thailand (AP) – Akie Iwai pulled the best party from the invitation of a sponsor to shoot a 10 under 62 and led by three strokes after the first round of the LPGA Thailand tournament at the Pattaya Race of Siam Country Club.
The Japanese player started with four birdies before taking three others on the turn. She sorted up three of her last four holes, equaling the 18 -hole record set by compatriot Yuka Saso in 2022 and the American Jessica Korda in 2018.
“Today, my shots and my putting were good,” said Iwai, who played the course twice in a tournament. “I learned where to miss and where not to be missed. I know the golf course very well.”
Iwai, 22, obtained his LPGA Tour subscription after finishing equally for fifth at the final level LPGA last year.
Three shots behind were the world number 27 Maja Stark in Sweden, which had an eagle on the fifth hole with six birdies and a Bogey for a 65. Moriya Jutanugarn, preferred, with six Birdies and a Bogey, finished third with a 66.
The birthday girl Jeeno Thitikul, the n ° 2 of the world which was 22 years old on Thursday, had a 68, while the defending champion Patty Tavatanakit of Thailand fired 71.
The event is the first stop of the so-called Asian swing of the LPGA before the tour moved to Singapore and China in the next two weeks.
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