|
 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.
[to top of second column] |
"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.
-----------------------------------------------
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
