Shin leads Women's PGA by one after first round

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[June 12, 2015]   By Rick Woelfel, The Sports Xchange
 
 EditorsNote: adds quotes from Shin Shin leads Women's PGA by one after first round
 
 RYE, N.Y. - Jenny Shin moved atop the leaderboard at 7-under-par 66 after the opening round of the inaugural KPMG Women's PGA Championship on Thursday at Westchester Country Club.

The 22-year-old Shin is looking for her first career win in her fifth LPGA season. Her best finish this year is fourth at the season-opening Coates Golf Championship in January. She joined the LPGA Tour in 2011 after placing fourth on the Futures Tour (now Symetra Tour) money list the previous year.

That accomplishment allowed her to join the tour without having to go through qualifying school. As an amateur, she won the US Girls Junior in 2006.

Shin's opening 66 equaled her lowest round of the season. Her trip featured five birdies plus an eagle at the par-5 15th.

"I started the round feeling a little uncertain. I didn't know how I was going to play, I really didn't know," Shin said. "I talked to my psychologist last night about how I was freaking out for this round, so I tried to play as comfortable as I can, just like any other tournament. I tried not to think of it as a major and it turned out great. I had a couple bogey-free rounds last week, so I think I'm on a good run here."

Brooke Henderson is right on Shin's heels. The 17-year-old was one shot back after firing a 6-under 67 on the par-73, 6,670-yard course. Playing the back nine first, she was three under par after three holes before she bogeyed her final hole to fall out of a tie for the top spot.

"I just have to keep playing my game, and I had a good round today," Henderson said. "I' m happy with it. A little disappointed with that last hole but very happy with where I am on the leaderboard and how I played today. I think if I can do that the next three days, it will be very interesting."

Karrie Webb, Moriya Jutanugarn and Charley Hull were at 5-under 68, followed by Karine Icher and Simin Feng at 4-under 69. A group of 15 players at 3-under 70 includes Stacy Lewis, Cristie Kerr, Brittany Lincicome and Lexi Thompson.

Some big names were lurking behind the leaders after the opening 18 holes. Inbee Park, who shot a 2-under 71, is considered a two-time defending champion in the event. The LPGA recognizes the tournament as a continuation of the LPGA Championship and Park is attempting to become just the second player to win the event three years in succession. The first was Annika Sorenstam, who achieved her three-peat from 2003-05.

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"I think everybody feels a little pressure because it's a major tournament and everybody wants to do well," said Park. "Because it is a major tournament and this is a great event, that's why we feel the pressure. So I'm happy."

Lydia Ko, the top-ranked player in the world, was at 1-under 72 after a round that included a self-imposed one-stroke penalty when her ball moved on the green while she was lining up a putt. Michelle Wie shot a 2-over 75.

Shin, meanwhile, was surprised at posting such a low opening score.

"I am. I was chasing the leaderboard all day and I was surprised that (Webb) was at 6 at one point and thought, how is she shooting 6-under par?" Shin said. "I got there and I was like, maybe I can get one more on the 18th hole and I did, so a little surprised."

A total of 59 players in the field of 156 broke par.

NOTES: The tournament is the LPGA's second major championship of the season but is being jointly sponsored by the LPGA and the PGA of America. It replaces the LPGA Championship on the schedule, but records from that tournament, which was first played in 1955, are being carried over, making it the second oldest major championship on the LPGA schedule. ... Westchester Country Club was once the home of the PGA Tour's Westchester Classic, which during the 1960s was the richest stop on the men's tour.

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