Minjee Lee starts well to lead at Palos Verdes
Minjee Lee – photo Harry How Getty Images
World number four, Minjee Lee, has the lead after day one of the Palos Verdes Championship at Palos Verdes Estates in Los Angeles, California.
Lee’s round of 63 leaves her one ahead of world number one, Jin Young Ko, with England’s Charley Hull, Thailand’s Moriya Jutanugarn and American Jennifer Chang another shot back.
“My golf club back home it’s the same type of fairways,” said Lee when referring to her familiarity with the grasses at this new venue. “I don’t think we play a course with that same type of grass throughout the whole year, so it was kind of a nice surprise when I got here.
“I feel like throughout the first half of the season already I been hitting it pretty solid, so I know my game is there. I just need to put it all together. Hopefully I can take my good round today into the next three days.”
After her good 3rd place finish last week also in Los Angeles, Lee took time getting to know the venue despite it being the first time the LPGA Tour has played here.
“I took Monday off. Didn’t even come to the course. Tuesday I played nine holes, and then I played the other — saw the other nine in the pro-am.
“So I think kind of set up well with just coming off one week. I think it’s so hilly out here that you want to keep your legs fresh, so I’m glad I didn’t play all 18 on one of the days.
Hannah Green also began her week well with a round of 67 to be tied for 8th, Sarah Jane Smith, Katherine Kirk and New Zealand’s Lydia Ko share 21st place after rounds of 69, Stephanie Kyriacou is 37th at 1 under 70 and Sarah Kemp who is back from her week at an event at Bonville is at even par 71.
