The LPGA returned to play this week in Singapore for the 2022 HSBC Women’s World Championship, where the leaderboard is full of prominent names following the first round.
Patty Tavatanakit has a one-shot lead over Inbee Park, A Lim Kim, and Danielle Kang after shooting a bogey-free 67. World No. 1 Jin Young Ko, Lydia Ko, and Brooke Henderson are among the 14 players who have shot 65s.
Tavatanakit, who is approaching the one-year anniversary of her lone LPGA victory at the ANA Inspiration in 2021, sounded pleased but not overjoyed with her performance.
“I thought everything was quite good,” Tavatanakit added. “A few shots here and there,” says the narrator. But, altogether, I’m pleased with how I performed.”
Kang, who held a one-shot lead before missing the third LPGA tournament of the season, had a one-shot lead before making bogeys on Nos. 17 and 18 to finish with a 68. This makes it nine rounds in a row where she has finished first or second on the scoreboard.
“At one point, it was just too hot.” “Unfortunately, I believe I just checked out of golf for a short while because I was more focused on trying to remain cool,” she explained. “It’s been a long since I’ve been in this much heat.”
Park is aiming for her third victory in the competition.
“I believe this golf course is a good fit for me.” “I believe this golf course is not extremely long, which provides me a significant edge when playing with the long hitters,” she explained. “I’m having a great time on the course.” It has over the years, and it will again this year.”
Jin Young Ko’s incredible run came to an end on Thursday. At the CME Group Tour Championship in 2021, Ko struck 63 consecutive greens in regulation, the longest streak in LPGA and PGA Tour history. She hit the first three greens on Thursday to raise her score to 66, but her streak came to a stop on the fourth hole when she missed the green. However, she would finish with a 69 after draining a 16-footer for birdie on No. 18.
Lydia Ko shot 3 under, but after standing in a lake to hit from a sloping lie, she earned the best par of the day.
No need to take a drop when you're Lydia Ko 😳
From standing in the water to saving par. She's too good 🔥 pic.twitter.com/XhBodr9YVT
— LPGA (@LPGA) March 3, 2022
At 2 under, Leona Maguire, who won her first LPGA tournament at the Drive On Championship in February, is tied for 19th.
