The ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open is perfectly poised after a spectacular opening day in which South Korean Soo Bin Kim shot a superb nine-under-par 63.
The ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open is perfectly poised after a spectacular opening day in which South Korean Soo Bin Kim shot a superb nine-under-par 63.
Kim, who rode a hot putter, slashed an incredible three shots off the former best round by a female on the The Grange's West Course.
"I was just picking my line and rolling them in, let the ball do the rest,'' Kim beamed.
"My coach (Brian Jung) were joking around and saying, 'Let's make 20 birdies this week', and I said 'Yeah, I like that idea, let's keep it rolling'.''
Her lead is three shots over American Casey Grice and German Caroline Masson, with no fewer than five players at five under, including evergreen five-time champion Karrie Webb and 1996 champion Catriona Matthew.
Webb, like Matthew and Masson, defied the afternoon breeze that was nowhere to be seen when the morning groups took full toll of the breathless conditions.
The Australian legend’s round included six birdies, one of which, at the par-four sixth, she counted as spectacular. Stymied behind trees, she swerved it up to 4m, then rolled the putt in for a three.
World No.1 Lydia Ko carded a 70 to match Canadian sensation Brooke Henderson and England’s Charley Hull, while world No.9 Ha Na Jang was happy to open with a 69.
A host of Brits look set to make the cut including LPGA rookie Holly Clyburn and Georgia Hall who has already won down under this season. Both shot a one-under-par 71 to sit T39.
In all, there were 71 players at par or better with the halfway cut to be made tomorrow night with the top 70 and ties.
For full scores visit www.womensausopen.com
