Brooke Henderson was bothered by seeing so many low scores earlier than she even teed off Thursday on the LPGA Tour. She simply went out and putted for birdie on each gap, opening with an 8-under 62 for a one-shot lead in The Annika.
Henderson, from Smiths Falls, Ont., made a protracted birdie putt on her remaining gap, the par-3 ninth, for a 29 on the entrance 9 to maneuver previous a bunch that included Jin Younger Ko and Patty Tavatanakit.
“Up till this 12 months, ball-striking has undoubtedly been a energy of mine, and hasn’t been as sharp as I would really like the final couple months,” stated Henderson, who switched irons just lately and felt she was headed in the best path.
“To hit all 18 greens is extra what I was used to a short while in the past,” the Canadian stated. “It feels wonderful to not should rise up and down and provides myself loads of birdie alternatives.”
One last item! Confidence? Boosted ✅ <a href=”https://t.co/0cYPl0r1aW”>pic.twitter.com/0cYPl0r1aW</a>
—@LPGA
Henderson gained the season opener in Florida and hasn’t gained since, falling to No. 13 within the girls’s world rating and coming in at No. 14 within the Race to CME Globe.
That is the final event for the highest 60 gamers to succeed in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship down the coast in Naples. That is not a problem for Henderson or Ko, who’s No. 5 on the energy of two LPGA victories.
It is a totally different story for the others who had been at 63. Tavatanakit, a former main champion, is at No. 61 and received off to the best begin.
“I have been like getting ready for this occasion. Clearly, I knew what I needed to do,” Tavatanakit stated. “I am fairly confused, however on the identical time, I really feel like I did every part underneath my management. I did every part with no regrets. I am simply going to be out right here and know behind my thoughts that I did every part I might.”
Emily Kristine Pedersen is at No. 80 and Minami Katsu of Japan is at No. 78. Additionally they had been at 63. Katsu rallied late on an attractive day at Pelican Golf Membership, beginning the again 9 with 5 birdies in six holes to get close to the highest of the leaderboard.
Lexi Thompson, taking part in for the primary time since lacking the reduce by three pictures in Las Vegas on the PGA Tour, opened with a 64 and was in a five-way tie for sixth. She has gone greater than 4 years with out profitable, and he or she’ll possible want to complete third or higher to make it to the season finale in Naples.
She began on the again 9, made the flip and ran off 4 birdies in 5 holes.
“I simply went into the day realizing I needed to make birdies,” Thompson stated. “It was excellent climate — perhaps 5 miles per hour when it gusted — so splendid climate for us. I knew I needed to make birdies, however I simply tried to stay to my sport plan with my swing pictures and fireplace on the pins and provides myself as many birdie alternatives.
Defending champion Nelly Korda opened with a 70.
Lydia Ko needed to accept a 67 and at No. 101 within the Race to CME Globe, she possible must be alone in second to succeed in the Tour Championship and defend her title.
