South Koreans dominate Ladies Masters on home turf

FROM THE LADIES EUROPEAN TOUR WEBSITE
Defending champion Hee-Kyung Seo shot a four-under-par 68 to claim a one-stroke first-round lead at the Daishin Securities Tomato Tour Korean Ladies Masters on Jeju Island, South Korea.
Seo, who won the inaugural title 12 months ago at nearby Saint Four Golf Club, carded five birdies and just one bogey on a fine but windy day at Cypress Golf & Resort.
Playing in afternoon, when the winds were stronger and swirling, the South Korean 23-year-old finished one clear of compatriots Sarah Lee, Hyun-Ji Kim, Bo-Mee Lee and Australian Anna Rawson.
Seo, the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) money leader, who has recorded four tournament victories so far this season, birdied holes three, seven, 14, 16 and 18 with her only blemish at the par-four 15th.
She said, through an interpreter: “I have gained more confidence since last year because this year I’ve won four more tournaments. Last year, it was my sixth tournament victory. I feel my game is in good shape.”
She had 28 putts and said that putting was the best part of her game. However, the world number 57 was not taking anything for granted: “Frankly I don’t think about leading because this is the first day. I’m not a runaway leader and there are many competitors nearby. I don’t want to think about the scores, I just want to focus on my game.”
Rawson, who is targeting her maiden professional victory, played earlier in the day and dropped just one shot during her opening round of 69. She said: “I didn’t putt very well on the front nine and then I thought, screw it, and they started to go in. You can make it so hard for yourself. Look and shoot!
Rawson, a part-time model, has been disappointed with her season so far, despite a tie for 10th at the ANZ Ladies Masters on the Ladies European Tour and a best finish of T13th at the LPGA State Farm Classic in America.
“I started well in Australia and then I did not like playing golf for the first six months. I was really not enjoying playing on the LPGA and I got a bad attitude.” She said that she has improved since seeing a sports psychologist, Kevin Sverduk.
“I just decided that I’m going to enjoy it and stop thinking of the future. I always think ahead, like, “What do I want to do next year, or do I want to play golf? I don’t know if I want to.” I have to just think about this year.”
Sharing a five way tie for sixth place at two under were South Koreans Hyun Hwa Sim, Ae Ree Pyun, Hyun Hee Moon, Soo-Jin Yang and So Young Kim.
The top ranked European player in the field at No.3 on the LET’s Henderson Money List, Becky Brewerton was forced to settle for a tie for 15th at one over with 10 other players. She said: “I’m quite happy because it was tough and I managed to battle through. I’ll keep going and hope to do better.”
LEADING SCORES
Par 72
68 Hee-Kyung See (SKo)
69 Sara Lee (SKo), Anna-Rawson (Australia), Hyun-Ji Kim (Sko), Bo-Mee Lee (Sko).
Selected scores:
72 Anna Knutsson (Sweden), Stephanie Na (Australia), Rebecca Coakley (Ireland), Minea Blomqvist (Finland), Frances Bondad (Australia), Iben Tinning (Denmark) (jt 15th).
73 Becky Brewerton (Wales) (jt 23rd).
74 Martina Gillen (Ireland), Riikka Hakkarainen (Finland), Marianne Skarpnoord (Norway), Jade Schaeffer (France) (jt 34th.
75 Samantha Head (England) (jt 47th).
76 Ursula Wikstrom (Finland), Julie Tvede (Denmark), Gwladys Nocera (France), Lora Fairlought (England) (jt 57th).
77 Tara Delaney (Ire), Lynn Kenny (Scotland) (jt 69th).
78 Vikki Laing (Scotland), K M Juul (Denmark), Eva Steinberger (Switzerland) (jt 81st).
80 Clare Queen, Kristy S Taylor, Laure Sibille (jt 95th).