With a first-round 64, Inbee Park secured the 18-hole lead at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Park, who went bogey-free and recorded eight birdies, hit every fairway and missed only two greens on the New Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.
“I hit a lot of great shots but probably left myself a lot of ten to 15-footers, and I was able to make most of them, which has been the difference this year,” said Park.
“You know, holing putts when you need to hole, especially ten to 15-footers, so those percentage the last few years wasn’t that great but this year has been a little better.
“So I think that really paid off today.”
One-stroke back was Hee Young Park, who carded her best round in nearly two seasons (2019 Thornberry) with a 7 under 65, highlighted by an eagle on No. 10.
“I just tried to survive with this heat in Singapore, which is — I love it, but after played the front nine, I had a good moment on No. 10. Made a eagle,” said Park.
“Then really makes everything easier, less pressure and then I played with nice people, nice girls today and we tried to have fun with this hot weather.”
Three major champions – Hyo Joo Kim, So Yeon Ryu and Sophia Popov – headlined a logjam of five tied for third on 5 under.
Gaby Lopez, Amy Yang, Jeongeun Lee6, Shanshan Feng, Su Oh and Brittany Altomare were T8 on 4 under.
Defending champion Sung Hyun Park struggles continued in Singapore. The former world no. 1, who hasn’t posrted a top 10 in nearly two years, shot 6-over 78 and was alone at 69.
2021 HSBC Women’s World Championship
Top-5 Leaders: Round 1
Pos-Player-To Par-(Rd 1)
1. Inbee Park -8 (64)
2. Hee Young Park -7 (65)
3. Hyo Joo Kim -5 (67)
3. So Yeon Ryu -5 (67)
3. Sophia Popov -5 (67)
3. Caroline Masson -5 (67)
3. Xiyu Lin -5 (67)
Material from the LPGA Tour Communications was used to compile this report.
