Two South Korean players found themselves two strokes back of the opening-round lead at the final LPGA major of the season in Scotland.
Jenny Shin and Lee Mi-hyang each shot a three-under 69 to begin the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, on Thursday (local time). They are tied for fourth place, two shots behind Charley Hull of England.
In blustery conditions, Shin teed off in the second group of the day at 7:11 a.m., and recorded four birdies, one eagle and three bogeys.
Shin, in pursuit of her first major title, said she and her playing partners felt early that they would have “a battle, regardless of whether it’s raining or not.”
Jenny Shin of South Korea tees off on the 18th hole during the final round of the AIG Women’s Open at the Old Course at St Andrews in Fife, Scotland, on Aug. 22, 2024, in this photo provided by The Royal and Ancient Golf Club. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
“I’ve never really played in this kind of wind before because it just felt relentless,”
Shin said. “So I’m extremely happy with an under par. It was such a long day as well. It felt like I was there the whole day. And I feel like I did a pretty good job staying calm.”
Lee, who won the 2017 Scottish Open title in a similar, links-style setup, also said being patient was the key for her, after picking up four birdies against a bogey in her first round.
“I had really good patience on the golf course, I think,” Lee said. “It was windy, like 40 miles an hour, but I still tried to play simple golf. That worked, I think.”
Shin will start her second round Friday afternoon. Lee, who teed off at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, will play her second round starting at 7 a.m. Friday.
“I heard strong winds were coming, but then my tee time is 7 a.m. tomorrow. So hopefully it will be less windy,” Lee said. “But who knows. Just wish me luck.”
Shin and Lee were among six players at three-under, a group that included Lilia Vu of the United States, the 2023 LPGA Player of the Year and defending champion.
Kim Hyo-joo was
the next best South Korean at two-under.
South Korea has had just one winner on the LPGA Tour this year: Amy Yang, who captured her maiden major title at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in June. Yang is tied for 48th after an opening round of two-over 74.
Nelly Korda of the United States and Yin Ruoning of China, the current and former world No. 1 players, respecitvely, each shot a four-under 68.
Source: Yonhap News Agency
