Shin Ji-eun "Starts with 5 Under Par"... Danielle Kang Leads with 7 Under Par

Marathon Classic Day 1: Lydia Ko Tied for Lead, Joint 4th Place, Korda 8th, Minjee Lee 16th in 'Chase'

Shin Ji-eun is hitting an iron shot on the 13th hole on the first day of the Marathon Classic. Sylvanian, Ohio, USA = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] Shin Ji-eun (28, Hanwha Q CELLS) has made a fresh start.

On the 7th (Korean time), at the Highland Meadows Golf Club in Sylvania, Ohio, USA (par 71, 6,550 yards), the first day of the LPGA Tour Marathon Classic (total prize money $1.7 million) saw her shoot 5-under par, currently tied for 4th place. Danielle Kang (USA) and Lydia Ko (New Zealand) dominated the top of the leaderboard with 7-under par 64, while Megan Kang (USA) is chasing closely in 3rd place at 6-under par 65, just one stroke behind.

Shin Ji-eun recorded six birdies and one bogey. After a strong start with three consecutive birdies on holes 1 to 3, she took a brief breather with a bogey on the 8th hole (par 3). In the back nine, she added a birdie on the 10th hole (par 4) followed by consecutive birdies on the 16th and 17th holes, joining the race for the championship. Her precise shots, missing the fairway only once and the green three times, powered her round. She made 28 putts in total. She is two strokes behind the joint leaders and has a chance for her second career win since her first victory at the 2016 Texas Shootout.

Shin Ji-eun debuted on the US stage in 2011 and has been active on the regular tour for a remarkable 10 years. Her consistency is a strength, having finished in the top 10 a total of 29 times. In 2012, she led by two strokes on the final day of the HSBC Women's Champions but faltered with a double bogey on the last 18th hole, losing the trophy in a playoff to Angela Stanford (USA), which was a heartbreaking moment. Four years ago, at the Texas Shootout, she finally ended her win drought with a victory after many attempts.

Danielle Kang showcased flawless play with seven birdies. Following last week's Drive On Championship, she is aiming for her second consecutive win and fifth career victory. Lydia Ko also joined the leading group with a brilliant birdie show. Since her 15th career win at the 2018 Mediheal Championship, she has been without a title. Nelly Korda (USA) is tied for 8th place (4-under par 67), and Minjee Lee (Australia) is tied for 16th place (3-under par 68), both looking for opportunities.

Korea's rookies Jeon Ji-won (23, KB Financial Group) and Jeon Young-in (20, Volvik) combined four birdies and three bogeys to tie for 42nd place (1-under par 70). Jeon In-ji (26, KB Financial Group), Yang Hee-young (31, Woori Financial Group), and Kang Hye-ji (30) failed to lower their scores and are tied for 66th place (even par 71). Park Hee-young (33, Isu Group), the ISPS Handa Big Open champion, is struggling with one birdie and three bogeys, tied for 104th place (2-over par 73), facing a tough path ahead.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.