Heo Mijeong Advances to Victory "Tied 5th, 3 Strokes Behind"… Thompson Leads by 2 Strokes
4-under Par on Day One of Scottish Women's Open: Saso Tied for 2nd, Noye-rim and Titikul Tied for 5th, Lee Mi-hyang Tied for 24th
[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] It is the winning march of 2019 champion Heo Mi-jeong (32, Daebang Construction, photo).
On the 13th (Korean time), at the Scottish Pipe Dumbarnie Links (par 72, 6,584 yards), the first day of the LPGA Tour Trust Golf Scottish Women's Open (total prize money $1.5 million) ended with a 4-under-par, placing her in a tie for 5th. Michelle Thompson (Scotland), playing on her home course, leads with 7-under-par 65, while 'US Women's Open champ' Yuka Saso (Philippines), Anne van Dam (Netherlands), and Jasmine Suwannapura (Thailand) are tied for 2nd at 5-under-par 67.
Heo Mi-jeong showcased flawless play with four birdies and no bogeys. She made her first birdie on the 1st hole (par 4), consecutive birdies on the 3rd and 4th holes, and lowered her score again on the 9th hole (par 4). However, it was a bit disappointing that she made par on all nine holes in the back nine. She is three strokes behind the leader and has a chance for her fifth LPGA Tour win in two years since her 2019 victory. This tournament is her 'promised land,' holding the records for the lowest scores in 18 holes (62), 36 holes (128), and 72 holes (264) set two years ago.
World No. 559 Thompson collected one eagle and seven birdies (with two bogeys). She is the protagonist of a story where her father Graham, who caddied for her at the LET Gant Ladies Open in Finland last month, collapsed from a heart attack, causing her to withdraw. No Ye-rim (USA) and Atthaya Thitikul are tied for 5th, while Ariya Jutanugarn and ANA champ Patty Tavatanakit (both Thailand), and Charley Hull (England) started comfortably tied for 15th at 3-under-par 69.
Hot Picks Today
As Samsung Falters, Chinese DRAM Surges: CXMT Returns to Profit in Just One Year
- "Most Americans Didn't Want This"... Americans Lose 60 Trillion Won to Soaring Fuel Costs
- Man in His 30s Dies After Assaulting Father and Falling from Yongin Apartment
- Samsung Union Member Sparks Controversy With Telegram Post: "Let's Push KOSPI Down to 5,000"
- "Why Make Things Like This?" Foreign Media Highlights Bizarre Phenomenon Spreading in Korea
Korea's 2017 champion Lee Mi-hyang (28, Volvik) and Kang Hye-ji (31) are tied for 24th at 2-under-par 70, while Lee Jeong-eun 6 (25, Daebang Construction), Yang Hee-young (32, Woori Financial Group), Choi Woon-jung (31, Volvik), and Kim A-rim (26, SBI Savings Bank) are tied for 35th at 1-under-par 71. Jeon In-ji (27, KB Financial Group) is tied for 55th at even par 72. Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Lydia Ko (New Zealand) is tied for 24th, and defending champion Stacy Lewis (USA) is tied for 35th.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
