Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia: Japan’s Mika Miyazato and South Korea’s Jee Young Lee take the lead
Mika Miyazato and Jee Young Lee surged to the clubhouse lead after carding a score of five-under-par in the first round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, which was staged at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
The event, carrying a purse of $1.8 million, kicked off today on the par-72, at 6741 yards. Japan's Miyazato picked up five birdies in her blemish-free round to wrap up the round at 66. She was joined by Lee at the top of the leader
board. The 24-year-old drafted seven birdies, but missed two shots to level heads with the early leader.
Miyazato was pleased with her putting and driving accuracy. She told the press, “I was hitting the ball very well and I was just focusing on making par. Tomorrow, I will focus on one shot at a time."
On the other side, the player who shares the second name of the player (Ai Miyazato) made a five-over-76. The 21-year-old seemed to struggle with her putter on the back nine.
Where Ai faltered, Lee enjoyed her reconstructed swings. The player had been facing trouble with putting throughout the season, leading to a change of coach and clubs. The result turned out to be promising for the player.
Lee was confident with her swings, saying, "My swing was very short [before], but last year, I changed my [technical] coach and now I play more of a feel shot.”
The duo was chased by Hee-won Han won who shot a score of four-under-par. She was joined by Alena Sharp, Maria Hjorth, s**+ Hyun Ahn and Michelle Wie. The ladies were tied for the fourth spot with a score of four-under-par.
This is it for the first round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, which was taking place at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. The event is the first part of the series that will lead to the Solheim Cup, 2010.
Mika Miyazato and Jee Young Lee have taken the early lead, but the question of whether they will maintain this lead will be answered on the coming weekend.
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