Inbee Park put herself in pole position for a third HSBC Women’s World Championship title with a scintillating opening round of eight-under-par 64 at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore today.
The South Korean legend used a hot putter to sink eight birdies in a near-flawless performance at Sentosa’s Tanjong Course, topping the star-studded leaderboard by one shot over compatriot Hee Young Park.
Sharing third spot on five-under-par are two more Koreans, Hyo Joo Kim and So Yeon Ryu, two Germans in Caroline Masson and reigning Women’s British Open champion Sophio Popov, and China’s Xiyu Lin.
Park played near perfect golf, hitting all fairways and making 16 greens in regulation. However, she noted that holing putts was still the key.
“I hit a lot of great shots but probably left myself a lot of ten to 15-footers, and I was able to make most of them … which has been the difference this year,” said the 32-year-old, who won this tournament in 2015 and 2017.
“You know, holing putts when you need to hole, especially ten to 15-footers, those percentages the last few years weren’t that great. But this year has been a little better so I think that really paid off today,” added the seven-time Major winner.
Last month, Park claimed her 21st LPGA title in the Kia Classic and looks to be in prime form to add to her impressive trophy cabinet. She paid tribute to her husband Gi, who is on the bag this week, giving him a perfect ten rating.
“I think I’m going to give him ten and probably ten for the rest of the week, because I’m really thankful that he’s doing this for me and in this heat! It’s very tough conditions. I don’t need an exact number. I don’t need anything. I just need him next to me, that’s all, just carrying the bag,” she shared.
“I just had fun out there with him. I hit a lot of fairways and greens. It was really a stress-free round and I was able to read the putts really well with him and that helped.”
Highly-rated Thai youngster Patty Tavatanakit shot 70 in her maiden round in the event. The 21-year-old ANA Inspiration winner recovered from two bogeys in her first four holes, using her prodigious length off the tee to nail birdies on all four par-fives and stay in contention.
Defending champion Sung Hyun Park of Korea meanwhile had a day to forget with an opening 78.
The HSBC Women’s World Championship is broadcast ‘live’ on the Golf Channel HD (Astro Channel 822) daily from 9.30am to 2.30pm. For more information, visit the tournament website at hsbcgolf.com/womens
