South Korea’s Kim Ha-Neul snatched the first-round lead in the US Women’s Open from No.1-ranked compatriot Park In-Bee with a flawless six-under par 66 on Thursday.
Kim, playing her first US Women’s Open, had six birdies and no bogeys on the par-72 Sebonack Golf Club course to edge ahead of Park, who held the clubhouse lead for most of the day on five-under 67.
“This is my first time in the US Open and I didn’t think that I was going to do it like this,” said Kim, a seven-time winner on the Korean LPGA Tour.
Sarah Jane Smith is the leading Australian contender at one-under with a tie of 17th spot.
New Zealand prodigy Lydia Ko sits a shot further back after an even-par round of 72.
Karrie Webb and compatriots Katherine Hull-Kirk and Lindsey Wright all enjoy a share of 37th spot at one-over.
Park, whose five titles in 2013 include major triumphs at the Kraft Nabisco Championship and the LPGA Championship, had six birdies and one bogey for sole possession of second place.
“I played very good today,” Park said. “I hit the ball very good, didn’t miss many fairways or greens.
“I was able to take some pins today where the USGA was a little generous on us today.”
The US Golf Association moved up the tees in anticipation of inclement weather, and Park took full advantage.
“Instead of hitting, like, five-irons, we were hitting nine-irons, and that was making the course much easier,” she said. “I was actually able to go for some pins and give myself a lot of opportunities today. I made a lot of putts and didn’t leave much out there.”
Park opened her round with a birdie at the 10th hole and picked up another stroke at the par-four 14th, rolling in a seven-footer.
She made her only bogey of the day at the sixth, where she was in the rough off the tee, but bounced back with a birdie at the par-five eighth.
As usual, Park was a model of calm throughout her round.
“I get my happy moments and I get my angry moments,” she said. “But it’s just a shot in golf, and you sometimes hit a good shot. You sometimes hit a bad shot. I don’t think it’s a big deal. You’re excited inside, but you can’t be too excited because you’ve got to play the next shot.”
Four players – Sweden’s Caroline Hedwall and Anna Nordqvist, I.K. of South Korea and American Lizette Salas – shared third place on four-under par 68.
Canada’s Maude-Aimee LeBlanc and Chile’s Paz Echeverria were a further shot back on 69.
Although Kim will take the lead into Friday’s second round, the spotlight will remain on her illustrious compatriot Park, who is seeking to join an elite club of women golfers to win three major titles in a single season.