LAST UPDATE | 21 Jun
LEONA MAGUIRE IS two shots off the lead after the first round of the KPMG Women’s PGA in Washington State.
Maguire shot a two-under 70 to stay hot on the heels of clubhouse leader Lexi Thompson. Nelly Korda is among those one shot behind in second place.
The Cavan native hit four birdies and two bogeys across the day, as world number one Korda moved clear after six birdies, one bogey and one double-bogey.
Stephanie Meadow had an opening round to forget, shooting 77. She shot six bogeys and one eagle, sitting five-over overall.
Thompson birdied the first three holes on her way to firing a four-under par 68. The 29-year-old American, who announced last month this will be her final LPGA season, is one shot ahead of top-ranked compatriot Korda and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit after 18 holes at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish.
“It was overall just a great day,” Thompson said. “I played solid golf. Had a good start so I tried to just keep on rolling with that. There are a lot of tough holes out there. I felt very comfortable.”
Thompson, a runner-up last week, credits her solid play to swing changes not her retirement revelation.
“I kind of clicked onto something with my golf swing, just trying to simplify things,” she said. “I don’t think that has anything to do with announcing what I did. It’s just a matter of being comfortable and playing free-swinging Lexi I guess.”
Reigning Olympic champion Korda, seeking her third major victory, reeled off three consecutive birdies at one stretch to stay near the top.
“Overall I think it was a really good day,” Korda said. “This golf course is so tough. It’s critical to hit the fairway. It’s so demanding off the tee so anything under par is a good score.”
England’s Charley Hull, France’s Celine Boutier and Japan’s Hinako Shibuno are among those tied with Maguire.
- Follow the latest Women’s PGA leaderboard here.
Elsewhere, Séamus Power made a strong start at the Travelers Championship with an opening round three-under 67.
Tom Kim is the early leader after an opening round eight-under 62.
It was a mixed day for Shane Lowry, the Offaly man shooting four birdies and three bogeys as he carded a one-under 69.
South Korea’s Kim, playing for his eighth consecutive week, closed with back-to-back birdies to grab a two-stroke lead.
On the eve of his 22nd birthday, Kim fired a bogey-free eight-under-par 62 with eight birdies at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Connecticut.
“It was nice,” Kim said. “Played a little windy. Had a few testers coming in to keep the momentum going, some nice putts to go in to finish.”
Kim sank a 14-foot birdie putt at the 17th hole and a seven-footer at 18 to seize a two-stroke edge over Americans Rickie Fowler, Will Zalatoris, Kurt Kitayama and Akshay Bhatia.
It’s the last signature-level event of the PGA season, with a limited field and no cut.
World number 26 Kim, who finished a season-best fourth at the Canadian Open earlier this month, has not missed a tournament since the end of April.
World number one Scottie Scheffler opened with a 65 after struggling to a share of 41st last week at the US Open, where he was a huge favorite after five PGA Tour wins this season, the most so soon in a campaign since 1980.
“I hit it nice,” Scheffler said. “I’m swinging a lot better than I did last week. Just really getting better feel coming at the top of my swing, making sure my grip’s kind of in the right position.”
Others on 65 included PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele and fellow American Tony Finau.
South Korea’s An Byeong-hun withdrew due to illness after going one-over par through seven holes.
- Follow the latest Travelers Championship leaderboard here.
Updated 7.49am after rounds finished, additional reporting from Ciarán Kennedy.
