Lydia Ko leads Gainbridge LPGA after first round in Florida

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Lydia Ko did not play in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in 2020, but her lack of familiarity with the 6,701-yard course was not a handicap.

The 24-year-old two-time major champion from New Zealand shot a bogey-free 9-under-par 63 in Thursday’s opening round to take a two-shot lead over Danielle Kang.

“I played with the president of the club (Wednesday) in the pro-am, so maybe he gave me some good energy?” said Ko. “I didn’t get into too much trouble, so I was kind of putting myself in play.”

Starting on the back nine, Ko birdied the par-5 10th, and also birdied 13, 14 and 15 to go out in 32. She began the front nine with three consecutive birdies, added another at the par-3 sixth, and had her shot of the day at the par-5 eighth when she hit her third past the pin and spun it back to within a foot for a tap-in birdie.

“I do know that you have to drive it pretty well around here, and that sets up lots of good birdie opportunities,” Ko said. “I hit one very, very loose shot, but luckily it was in play and I was able to set up another birdie chance. Other than that, it was overall pretty solid. Hopefully, I’ll be able to maintain the goods from today to the rest of the week.”

It helped that players were allowed to lift, clean and place the ball in the rain-softened fairways.

Kang, of Las Vegas, came into Boca Rio off a victory Sunday in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Orlando. But she didn’t think that was a factor on a day that featured eight birdies and one bogey.

“I don’t really try and focus on momentum and whether you have to create it or you have to ride it or it’s not there or there,” she said. “It doesn’t really matter, right? I played well last week, It’s a new week. I still have things to work on. I still have things I need to focus on.”

Such as?

“I think I’m focused too much on how to guide the ball moreso than just hitting it. But I don’t mind it,” she said. “It is what it is. Trying to hit the best shot I can hit, and I hit some really great drives and really bad drives, and I’m OK with that.”

Kang birdied the first and third holes to go 2 under, bogeyed the fourth, then birdied the sixth and eighth to go out in 3-under 33. She had four birdies on the back nine. When the inaugural tournament was held here in 2020 – it was held in Orlando last year – Kang finished third after being in a three-way tie for the lead on the final day.

Aditi Ashok of India was alone in third after a 6-under 66. She was 2 under on her front nine, then had five birdies in a seven-hole stretch before a bogey on 18.

Nasa Hataoka of Japan, who finished second here in 2020, one shot behind first-time winner Madelene Sagstrom, was in a seven-way tie for fourth at 5-under 67. Fourteen players were tied for 11th at 68, including world No. 1-ranked Nelly Korda of Bradenton, who won the 2021 Gainbridge in Orlando. Seventeen golfers shot 69. Sagstrom was tied for 30th at 2-under 70.

“It’s just nice to be on site,” said Sagstrom, of Sweden. “Last time I left here I was just so … literally, I couldn’t grasp what was going on. It feels good to be at a place where you have played well, where you have won. It’s a nice, comfortable feeling. I feel like my game hasn’t been that great but I still enjoy it.”

Jaye Marie Green of Jupiter, who grew up in Boca Raton, also shot a 70 with four birdies and two bogeys. Green, who tied for 19th two years ago, wasn’t sure how she’d play in her first event of the year.

“I hit it really solidly today. The first tournament back you’re always trying to work out some kinks, a little rust,” she said. “I think overall for the first round of 2022, for once in my life I feel prepared going into a season.”

Green, whose gallery included her family, her fiancé’s family and lots of friends, said the soft greens were slower than she expected.

“I had a hard time adjusting to green speeds,” Green said. “All off-season I’d been practicing on greens rolling 12, 13 (on the stimpmeter), and these were probably 10.5, so I really struggled with my tempo on getting putts to the hole. I’m going to go practice and they’ll probably speed up the greens tomorrow.”

Among other locals, Lexi Thompson of Delray Beach also shot 70. Jessica Korda of Jupiter shot 72. Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Boca Raton shot 74 and Taylor Collins of Fort Lauderdale shot 77.