Suwannapura Leads First Leg of Marathon Classic

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Thidapa Suwannapura Marathon Classic
Thidapa Suwannapura of Thailand on the 18th hole during the first round of the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio. Credit: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

Thidapa Suwannapura fired a 6-under 65 and will take a one-shot lead into Friday’s second round of the 2018 Marathon Classic.

Thidapa Suwannapura Marathon Classic
Thidapa Suwannapura of Thailand on the 18th hole during the first round of the Marathon Classic in Sylvania, Ohio. Credit: Matt Sullivan/Getty Images

The 25-year old Thai finished her first day at Highland Meadows signing off one colorful scorecard that included 10 birdies, four bogeys, and four pars.

“It’s pretty good, I think,” said Suwannapura when asked how it feels to lead after day one.

“I’m really happy about the way I played today. There was a lot of drop on the back nine, and I just keep playing.

“I didn’t really look at the leaderboard, and did not even expect anything. So I don’t know. I have a chance, so let’s see how it goes.”

One back was defending champion In-Kyung Kim, who headlines a group of seven players tied for second at 5-under par. The 30-year old Korean finished her day with one bogey offset by six birdies, highlighted by five in a six-hole stretch on hole Nos. 13-18 (her 4th-9th).

“I had fun playing today. This morning it was really peaceful and quiet. Not much wind out there. So I took that advantage on the front nine,” said Kim.

“Back nine, the weather was a little bit switching around, and it was a little bit tricky, but back nine I gave a lot of good chances, and I feel definitely good making the birdie on the last hole.”

Brooke Henderson and Annie Park lead a group of eight more players at 4-under par.

Hometown hero Stacy Lewis, making her final start before maternity leave, was one further back at 3-under par, one clear of last week’s record-breaking winner Sei Youg Kim (69), and two ahead of world No. 3 Lexi Thompson (70).


MARATHON CLASSIC: TOP 10

1. Thidapa Suwannapura -6
2. Katelyn Dambaugh -5
2. Jacqui Concolino -5
2. Yani Tseng -5
2. In-Kyung Kim -5
2. Mirim Lee -5
2. In Gee Chun -5
2. Caroline Hedwall -5
9. Xi Yu Lin -4
9. Wichanee Meechai -4
9. Caroline Inglis -4
9. Kris Tamulis -4
9. Brooke Henderson -4
9. Annie Park -4
9. Christina Kim -4
9. Allison Emrey -4

MARATHON CLASSIC: NOTABLES

17. Chella Choi -3
17. Stacy Lewis -3
17. Brittany Lincicome -3
31. Mo Martin -2
31. Sei Young Kim -2
43. Lexi Thompson -1
43. Cheyenne Woods -1
58. Paula Creamer E
58. Angel Yin E
94. Charley Hull +2


QUICK HITS

  • Low Round: 65 – Thidapa Suwannapura
  • High Round: 85 – Nicole Jeray
  • Hardest Hole: 1st Par 4, 4.371 (0 Eagles, 6 Birdies)
  • Easiest Hole: 18th Par 5, 4.607 (2 Eagles, 67 Birdies)
  • Four (4) of top-8 leaders are seeking maiden title.
  • Three (3) of top-8 leaders are major winners.

HOW THIDAPA SUWANNAPURA SCORED THE LEAD

Driving: 244.0 yards
Fairways: 7/14, 50%
Greens: 12/18, 67%
Par-3 Scoring: -3 (3 Birdies, 1 Par)
Par-4 Scoring: -1 (5 Birdies, 2 Pars, 4 Bogeys)
Par-5 Scoring: -2 (2 Birdies, 1 Par)
Total Scoring: -9 (10 Birdies, 4 Pars, 4 Bogeys)
Key Stretch: Nos. 13-18 (Birdie-Birdie-Bogey-Birdie-Birdie-Birdie)


THIDAPA SUWANNAPURA ON FINAL BIRDIE

“It’s amazing, actually. She was like talking on the fairway like, oh, if you make par this hole, I’ll be happy about it. I was like, yeah, I know. I just want to finish it good. And I see the TV guys here, and just like, oh, a little bit nervous. But, you know, go do it and make birdie.”
– Thidapa Suwannapura

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