China’s Liu Yan, South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran share storm-hit LPGA Chevron Championship lead
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China's Liu Yan plays her shot from the 11th tee during the first round of The Chevron Championship.
PHOTO: AFP
HOUSTON – China’s Liu Yan and South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran each fired a seven-under 65 to share the lead in the storm-suspended opening round of the LPGA Chevron Championship on April 24.
Both Asian standouts had bogey-free starts for 18 holes at Carlton Woods in the year’s first women’s Major.
“My driver was pretty good, pretty solid,” Liu said. “Very solid golf today. On the course, I’m pretty confident.”
Ryu made a putter change that has paid dividends.
“That was amazing,” she said. “I change the putter and more comfortable for my putting this week... this putter is definitely (better). I make a lot of tricky ones and it’s really good for me.”
South Korean Kim Hyo-joo was third on 67, ahead of a pack on 68, including her compatriot Choi Hye-jin, American Brooke Matthews, Spain’s Carlota Ciganda, Belgium’s Manon de Roey and Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn.
Play was suspended by a storm late in the day and halted for good an hour later, with 24 players unable to finish their first round until April 25.
Ryu, the 2023 LPGA Rookie of the Year, is seeking her third tour title and first Major victory. She won the Arkansas Championship in 2023 and the 2024 FM Championship.
The world No. 12’s three top-10 finishes in the Majors last season included a fifth-place effort at the Chevron.
Liu began playing golf with her mother 15 years ago. She is hoping to clinch her first LPGA victory, with her best career tour finish being third at the 2023 ShopRite Classic.
A 10th-hole starter, the Chinese birdied the 10th and par-three 12th, then opened and closed her second nine with birdies in addition to reeling off three in a row starting at the par-three third.
“I think because my approach shot is pretty good, it’s much like long putt,” she added. “I had like 16 on the green, so every putt is for birdie, so it was pretty key for today’s approach shot.”
In men’s golf, Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo set the four-ball record at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a 14-under 58 to take the first-round lead at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.
Playing the best-ball format, the duo were a white-hot 12 under through their first 11 holes – an eagle at the par-five seventh and the rest birdies – before slowing down. The team finished with five pars and two birdies over the final seven holes.
The scoring record handed Salinda and Velo only a one-shot lead over Danish twins Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard, who were on 13-under 59. AFP, REUTERS
