Three players, Hyo Joo Kim, Mirim Lee, and Haru Nomura lead the way at 5-under following first-round play at the Marathon Classic Presented by Owens Corning and O-I.
South Korean native Kim, with a late tee time, was having success with the putter with six birdies on the day but admitted the course was playing a bit different than was during in her practice round.
“When I was in the practice round it was kind of dry, like greens kind of bounce little bit,” she explained. “But last night it was raining so it's more -- little bit more softer green. I hit good shots, a lot of good shots, good drives, good putts, but on the last hole, I missed a putt. It was just a great round.”
Lee had some early trouble on the front nine picking up two bogeys but recovered nicely and finished the day with back-to-back birdies finishing with a total of seven birdies.
Birdies were dropping in the afternoon for two-time winner this year, Nomura, including four in her first five holes. She finds herself in the share of the opening round lead and will be looking to pick up her third win this season and join fellow competitors Lydia Ko and Ariya Juntanugarn each with three wins on the season.
“Today par putter is good,” Nomura said. “Shots good, second numbers, and everything smooth. Yeah. And play too good.”
)
)
)
)
