Thrilling Start to the Blue Bay LPGA
HAIKOU, Hainan Island (AP) — In a thrilling start to the Blue Bay LPGA, local favorite Zhang Weiwei demonstrated impressive skill as she finished her round with back-to-back chip-ins, leading to an outstanding 6-under 66. This performance placed her in a three-way tie for the top position, alongside fellow competitors Mary Liu from China and Youmin Hwang from South Korea, all of whom encountered challenges from strong winds at Jian Lake Blue Bay on Thursday.
Key Performances
Zhang’s strategy proved effective on the par-5 17th hole, where a more accessible tee location allowed her to reach the green in just two strokes, leading to her eagle. She expressed her excitement, saying,
“I hit it a bit heavy,”
referring to her chip for eagle, but noted that it landed perfectly, rolling straight into the hole. She completed her round with another chip from around 30 feet on 18.
Not to be outdone, Liu ended her round with remarkable momentum, birdying four of her last six holes to also card a 66, while Hwang excelled mid-round, sinking five birdies in six holes. Meanwhile, American golfer Auston Kim, who had a solid showing with a tie for third at last week’s HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, ended her round with a score of 67, characterized by nine birdies yet hampered by four bogeys. Kim reflected on her performance, acknowledging a few costly mistakes:
“I’m just hitting a couple shots here and there that are really costing me,”
she said, admitting to some frustrating three-putts.
Conclusion of a Challenging Stretch
This tournament marks the conclusion of a challenging three-event stretch for the LPGA across Asia, featuring a notably weaker field compared to last week’s event in Singapore, where most of the top-ranked players competed. Ruoning Yin of China, ranked 10th in the world and a former Women’s PGA champion, managed to stand out among the elite by beginning her round with a respectable score of 68. Notably absent from the competition is Nelly Korda, who once again opted out of the Asia swing.
