DEFENDING CHAMPION I.K. KIM INSPIRED BY S.Y. KIM’S RECORD-SETTING PERFORMANCE

Marathon Classic defending champion In-Kyung Kim has settled right back into a seat near the top. Kim took advantage of the morning’s dry and calm conditions to shoot a 5-under 66 and sits one back of first-round leader Thidapa Suwannapura.

Starting on No. 10, Kim birdied five of her last six holes to place herself in early title contention. “It was really exciting playing the front nine,” said Kim, who admitted to battling a head cold this week in Toledo. “I had a good roll, all three birdies in a row. And birdieing the last two par-5s was really fun. On the back, I hit a lot of good shots and good putts.”

Kim drew fuel from Sei Young Kim’s recording-breaking win at last week’s Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic, revving up her own confidence coming into her title defense.

“Sei Young played so well last week, and she can shoot 10-under any day,” said the seven-time LPGA winner. “I had a good front nine, and there was some expectation on the back, but I just did my best.”

Katelyn Dambaugh watches her tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Marathon Classic Presented By Owens Corning And O-I on July 12, 2018 in Sylvania, Ohio

LEFT-HANDED DAMBAUGH IN EARLY CONTENTION

Left-handed athletes are fairly common in baseball and tennis. Golf? Beyond Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, it’s mostly a right-hander’s game.

Katelyn Dambaugh hopes to change that on the LPGA Tour. The Tour rookie was in fine form during her inaugural round at Highland Meadows Golf Club. Despite a so-called “greedy” moment on No. 1 when she found water, Dambaugh carded seven birdies in her final 13 holes to finish at 5-under 66 and sit tied for first after 18 holes.

“I’ve been really close all year,” said Dambaugh, who returned the lowest round of her LPGA career. “I’ve either been putting really well or ball striking it really well. Both of those just came together for once today, and I just hope it keeps going.”

Dambaugh and Brittany Benvenuto are the only left-handed players currently on the LPGA Tour. Only Bonnie Bryant has hoisted an LPGA trophy while using a left-handed set of clubs. She won the 1974 Bill Branch LPGA Classic at Lachmoor Country Club in Fort Myers, Fla.

Notable Left-Handed Players on the LPGA Tour
Player	LPGA Tour Starts	Best Finish
Katelyn Dambaugh	14	T10 (2018 Kingsmill Championship presented by GEICO)
Brittany Benvenuto	8	72 (2018 Bank of Hope Founders Cup)
Cathryn Bristow	14 (all as non-member)	T33 (2017 MCKAYSON New Zealand Women’s Open)
Angela Buzminski	48	T20 (2003 Wendy’s Championship for Children)
Kelly Lagedrost	28	T46 (2004 Wendy’s Championship for Children)
Malinda Johnson	18	T15 (2005 Safeway International)
Judi Pavon	49	T18 (1992 LPGA State Farm Classic)
Bonnie Bryant	257	Winner (1974 Bill Branch LPGA Classic)

One Kim Inspires Another, Lefties On the LPGA and More from Toledo

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