An extended birdie putt on the final gap of her spherical put Brooke Henderson right into a one-shot lead following the opening day of The ANNIKA Pushed By Gainbridge At Pelican; protection continues on Sky Sports activities Golf from 3pm on Friday
Final Up to date: 09/11/23 11:57pm
Brooke Henderson opened with an eight-under-par 62 to established a one-shot lead after the primary spherical of The ANNIKA Pushed By Gainbridge At Pelican.
The Canadian made an extended birdie putt on her ultimate gap, the par-three ninth, for a 29 on the entrance 9 to maneuver previous a gaggle which included Jin Younger Ko and Patty Tavatanakit.
Henderson received the LPGA season opener in Florida and has not received since, falling to No 13 within the ladies’s world rating and coming in at No 14 within the Race to CME Globe.
“Up till this 12 months, ball-striking has undoubtedly been a energy of mine, and hasn’t been as sharp as I would love the final couple months,” Henderson, who switched irons just lately and felt she was headed in the proper course, mentioned.
“To hit all 18 greens is extra what I was used to a short time in the past. It feels superb to not should stand up and down and provides myself lots of birdie alternatives.”
That is the final event for the highest 60 gamers to achieve the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship down the coast in Naples. That isn’t a difficulty for Henderson or Ko, who’s No 5 on the energy of two LPGA victories.
It’s a completely different story for the others who have been at 63, nevertheless. Tavatanakit, a former main champion, is at No 61 and acquired off to the perfect begin.
“Clearly, I knew what I needed to do,” Tavatanakit mentioned. “I am fairly confused, however on the identical time, I really feel like I did every thing underneath my management.
“I did every thing with no regrets. I am simply going to be out right here and know in the back of my thoughts that I did every thing I might.”
Emily Kristine Pedersen is at No 80 and Minami Katsu of Japan is at No 78, and so they additionally shot 63. Katsu rallied late on a ravishing day at Pelican Golf Membership, beginning the again 9 with 5 birdies in six holes to get close to the highest of the leaderboard.
Lexi Thompson, enjoying for the primary time since lacking the lower by three pictures in Las Vegas on the PGA Tour, opened with a 64 and was in a five-way tie for sixth. She has gone greater than 4 years with out successful, and she or he’ll doubtless want to complete third or higher to make it to the season finale in Naples.
Thompson began on the again 9, made the flip and ran off 4 birdies in 5 holes.
“I simply went into the day understanding I needed to make birdies,” Thompson mentioned. “It was good climate – perhaps 5 miles per hour when it gusted – so very best climate for us.
“I knew I needed to make birdies, however I simply tried to stay to my recreation plan with my swing pictures and fireplace on the pins and provides myself as many birdie alternatives.”
Defending champion Nelly Korda opened with a 70, whereas Lydia Ko needed to accept a 67, and at No 101 within the Race to CME Globe, she doubtless must be alone in second to achieve the Tour Championship and defend her title.
Protection of The ANNIKA Pushed By Gainbridge At Pelican continues dwell on Sky Sports activities Golf from 3pm and Sky Sports activities Fundamental Occasion from 4.30pm on Friday. Also stream with NOW.
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