TWO-TIME CHAMPION KEEPS PACE

Two-time defending champion Inbee Park overcame two front-nine bogeys to collect five birdies and finish at 2-under-par-71. “I think everybody feels a little pressure because it's a major tournament and everybody wants to do well,” said Park. Because it is a major tournament and this is a great event, that's why we feel the pressure. So I'm happy.”

FIVE-DOLLAR BIRDIE MOTIVATION

Brittany Lincicome and Jessica Korda had each slipped to 1-over-par after nine holes Thursday, and decided they needed an incentive. They agreed to play a $5 side bet on birdies that might pick things up in their respective rounds. They each finished 4-under on the back side, with Korda making a birdie at 18 after Lincicome had eagled No. 15. The money game ended in a draw. “We just kind of needed something to kind of motivate us to get back in it,” said Lincicome. “We weren't out of it by any means, but obviously being a major, you never know if you're going to birdie that many holes coming in. If you're already over par, it's hard to get it back. It was just fun.” The third member of the threesome, Cristie Kerr, also finishing 3-under-par, wasn’t part of the money game. “We didn’t let Kerr in because she was already making too many birdies,” said Lincicome. “She doesn’t need any motivation.”

A SPECIAL WEEK – THE LINDSAYS RULE

Janet Lindsay of Jackson, Mississippi, who retired in 2014 after 19 years as a member of the LPGA Rules Committee, made a special call to duty this week at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. Lindsay and her husband, former PGA of America President Ken Lindsay, marked the second time working together on the same Rules Committee at a PGA of America-operated championship. They last appeared together on the Rules Committee at the 2000 PGA Championship. Ken, who has spent 35 years as a PGA Rules official, was chair of the national PGA Rules Committee from 1984-89.

WHAT DEBUT?

Canadian Brooke Henderson, 17, in second place after the opening round, made the most of her debut in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship off to a rousing start. She birdied No. 10, her opening hole of the day, and eagled No. 12, a 474-yard-yard, par-5. She added birdies at Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 15.

LAURIE RINKER RETURNS

PGA Club Professional Laurie Rinker of Stuart, Florida, returned to the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship for the first time since 2009. She earned a berth as one of eight qualifiers from last summer’s LPGA Teaching & Club Professionals National Championship. Rinker tied for third in the 1987 LPGA Championship. “I think the course is magnificent. The PGA of America did a great job putting this event,” said Rinker. “They kept the green speed down. I kept leaving them short today. On our senior (Legends Tour), I’m not used to hitting a long club into the green. I felt I did have the fitness to climb these hills. But I did have fun. I wanted to be a part of this with the PGA of America being involved. I think it’s going to be a good event in the years forward.”

KPMG Women's PGA Championship Round 1 Notebook

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