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Hannah Green of Australia is one shot back at
8-under with five players tied for third: Rose Zhang, Linn Grant
of Sweden, Peiyun Chien of Taiwan, Gina Kim and Grace Kim of
Australia all shot 65.
Steamy conditions greeting the golfers Thursday morning before
play was suspended at 1:53 p.m. only to resume after a
three-hour, 48-minute weather delay. Thirty-two players failed
to complete the first round before play stopped due to darkness.
Suwannapura went off in the first group off the tee and played a
bogey-free round highlighted by seven birdies and an eagle on
the par-4 14th. Three other players eagled the drivable hole,
and 44 carded a birdie.
"First couple holes I try to play kind of little safe, on safe
side, because I only play six holes for the practice round and
get to walk on the back nine on pro-am day on the cart path, so
I don't really know the course," Suwannapura said. "I feel like
with low expectation today then the result come out really good.
A lot of putts drop for me, and it's good feeling to start with
a low score this week for sure."
The two-time PGA winner has the first-round lead or co-leader
position for the third time in her career. She hit every fairway
(14 of 14) in regulation.
"Every single shot, even par-5, it's either go for it or layup.
It's very narrow so everything have to be perfect here to have a
chance to make birdies here," she said.
Green sank her final birdie of the day at the 18th just before
the threat of lightning prompted the lengthy delay.
Green said she was thinking "I really don't want to be stuck on
the putting green with who knows how long of a delay. So it was
nice for that putt to fall in, and obviously in good position
for the tournament."
--Field Level Media
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