England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff opened with a bogey-free 7-under par 65 to take a two-shot lead at the 2018 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship.
The 30-year-old finished her first day in Taoyuan City, Chinese Taipei with a clean card comprised of 11 pars and seven birdies to claim the overnight lead for just the fourth time in her LPGA career.
“I think changing my irons a month ago has definitely helped with my confidence,” said Shadoff, who has never won on the LPGA Tour.
“I’ve just been lacking feel in my long game the whole year, really, and it’s just affected my confidence somewhat. So it’s nice just to like be able to trust what I’m doing and my swing.”
American Nelly Korda and Haeji Kang of Korea – both also in search of their maiden LPGA title – were T2 at 5-under, 67.
Five players were tied at 4-under including Chinese Taipei’s Wei-Ling Hsu.
2018 Swinging Skirts LPGA Taiwan Championship
Round One: The Top 5
1. Jodi Ewart Shadoff -7
2. Nelly Korda -5
2. Haeji Kang -5
4. Wei-Ling Hsu -4
4. Jeong Eun Lee -4
4. So Yeon Ryu -4
4. Ally McDonald -4
4. Moriya Jutanugarn -4
Credit: LPGA Media