Women’s Australian Open: Jiyai Shin and Jennifer Song take lead
Jiyai Shin and Jennifer Song smashed a score of six-under-par to surge into lead after the first round of Handa Women’s Australian Open at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne.
The world number one Shin took advantage of the early tee time and smashed a score of 67. She picked six birdies without dropping a shot on one of the finest courses of Australia to walk into the second round as a leader.
Such a performance was not expected from the veteran who was returning after a break of two months. Shin was in United States, exploring real estate options. However, she did not stop practicing, which eventually helped her in the remarkable start.
The 22-year-old putted beautifully and attained 87 per cent Green Hits in Regulation with accurate driving skills. The South Korean enjoyed the privilege of a clear day, but an inclement weather is expected on Friday, which might turn the tables for her.
She was joined by Song after a gap of five and a half hours. The former US Women’s Public Links Champion and US Curtis Cup player smashed six birdies without dropping a shot and surged up to pose a threat for the world number one.
The America-born Korean holds dual nationalities, which is why she turned professional after competing in the 2010 Curtis Cup. The 21-year-old smacked two victories on the Futures Tour in the same year, which earned her the card to play in the Ladies Professional
Golfers Association Tour 2011.
One stroke below on the leaderboard stood yet another dual nationality holder, Rebecca Coakley. The Aussie-c*m-Irish lady smashed a score of 68 to seize the second spot. Further below on the leaderboard stood a group that included Anne Lisa Caudal, Eun Ji,
Eun-Hee Ji and Nikki Campbell. The group settled at a score of four-under-par.
2010 Handa Women’s Australian Open winner Yani Tseng started out well, but gave up pace by the end of the back nine and dropped a par-putt, which resulted in a bogey. The defending champion scored 70 and was three strokes behind the leader.
Laura Davies, who finished one stroke behind Tseng in the 2010 event, wrapped up the first round with a 71.
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