Inbee Park and Arim Kim "Tied 2nd at 4 Under Par"... Tawattananakit "Leads at 5 Under Par"

‘Asian Swing’ HSBC Women’s World Championship Day 1: Danielle Kang Tied 2nd, Ko Jin-young and Yang Hee-young Tied 5th at 3 Under Par

Inbee Park is discussing green strategies with her husband and coach, Nam Ki-hyeop, who served as her caddie on the 3rd hole during the first day of the HSBC Women's tournament. Sentosa (Singapore) = Getty Images / Multibits Photo by Nam Ki-hyeop

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ‘Golf Queen’ Park In-bee (34·KB Financial Group) has made a refreshing start.

On the 3rd (Korean time) at the Tanjong Course (par 72, 6,718 yards) of Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, the 4th round of the 2022 LPGA Tour season, the ‘Asian Swing’ HSBC Women’s World Championship (total prize money $1.7 million) saw Park shoot 4-under par on the first day, placing her in a tie for 2nd place. ‘Tournament of Champions champ’ Danielle Kang (USA) and Kim A-lim (27·SBI Savings Bank) are also in this group. Patty Tavatanakit (Thailand) is leading with a 5-under par 67.

Park In-bee recorded five birdies and one bogey. She created momentum by making consecutive birdies on holes 2 and 3, and added birdies on holes 5 and 8, reducing four strokes in the front nine. However, in the back nine, she lost the advantage by making a bogey on the 18th hole (par 4) after a birdie on the 15th hole (par 3). Her accuracy stood out with a 100% fairway hit rate and 94% greens in regulation. She is just one stroke behind the leader, in a position to aim for her 22nd career win, her first in a year since winning the Kia Classic last March.

This is the ‘promised land’ where she claimed the title twice in 2015 and 2017. Park said, “Except for the 18th hole, I played well,” adding, “It’s a course where reading the greens is easy. I will enjoy playing again tomorrow.” Tavatanakit showed flawless play with five birdies and no bogeys. Danielle Kang is chasing the leader by one stroke, seizing a chance for her second win of the season after winning the Tournament of Champions in January.

Ko Jin-young is teeing off at the 16th hole on the first day of the HSBC Women's tournament. Sentosa (Singapore) = Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

Korea’s ‘Number 1’ Ko Jin-young (27) started the new year’s first stage tied for 5th place (3-under par 69). She made a dramatic birdie on the 18th hole, extending her streak of rounds in the 60s to 12. Yang Hee-young (33·Woori Financial Group) is also tied for 5th, while Lee Jeong-eun 6 (26·Daebang Construction) and Jeon In-ji (28·KB Financial Group) are tied for 19th (2-under par 70). Defending champion Kim Hyo-joo (27·Lotte) exchanged two birdies for two bogeys and is tied for 37th (even par 72) along with Yoo So-yeon (32·Mediheal).

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