SCOT IS TWO SHOTS OFF THE LEAD IN LPGA EVENT AT INCHEON

 

CATRIONA MATTHEW MAKES SOLID 

START WITH THREE-UNDER 69

FROM SKYSPORTS.COM

Catriona Matthew, pictured above, made an encouraging start to the LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship after firing an opening three-under 69.

The Solheim Cup veteran defied the blustery conditions at the Sky72 Golf Club's Ocean Course, Incheon in South Korea as she compiled a solid card featuring four birdies and just one bogey to earn a share of second place - two strokes adrift of leader Haeji Kang.
South Korean Kang, who has yet to record a victory on the LPGA Tour, vaulted clear of the 78-player field with a superb 67 that included a run of three birdies in four holes around the turn.
"On a windy day like this, I felt I'd be better off playing safe and aiming for the centre of the greens than being aggressive," said Kang.
 "I made some great putts today to save pars on the front nine. Then I made a 40-foot putt for birdie on the 12th, and it gave me a great boost.
"It usually gets windy out here but the course isn't overly long. I can reach some of the par-5 greens in two. If I can hit good wedge shots, then I can post good scores."
Defending champion Amy Yang is alongside Matthew on three under after a sparkling inward nine with three straight birdies from the 12th and another at 18 lifting her into contention.
Teenage Australian amateur Minjee Lee also fired a commendable 69 along with Ilhee Lee and Mirim Lee, while Inbee Park began her bid to return to the top of the world rankings with an erratic 71.
Victory for Park this week would reclaim world No 1 status from the absent Stacy Lewis for the first time since her 59-week stay at the top ended earlier this year.
World No 2 Lydia Ko struggled to a one-over 73, while US Open champion Michelle Wie was three shots worse in her first competitive round since pulling out of the Evian Championship last month due to a stress fracture in her right hand.
Yorkshire's Jodi Ewart Shadoff had a five-over-par 77

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