CHIEN PEIYUN OF Taiwan used a late birdie burst to take the first-round lead on Thursday at the LPGA Chevron Championship, the first women’s golf major of the year.
Chien, ranked 189th in the world, overshadowed a host of big names with a sparkling five-under par 67 on the Jack Nicklaus Signature course at Carlton Woods in suburban Houston — the new home of a tournament that had been played in Rancho Mirage, California, for 51 years.
However it was a disappointing start for both Leona Maguire and Stephanie Meadow.
Maguire carded one birdie and five bogeys as she shot a four-over par 76, with Meadow a further shot back on five-over after shooting four-birdies, six bogeys, and taking eight shots on the par-five fourth.
Chien teed off on the 10th hole and after birdies at 17 and 18 gave a stroke back with her lone bogey of the day at the first.
She bounced back with birdies at the fourth, fifth and sixth, adding one more birdie at the eighth, giving herself an early clubhouse lead that stood up to all challengers.
She was one stroke in front of a group of seven players that included world number two Nelly Korda and fellow Americans Lilia Vu and Marina Alex along with South Korean Chella Choi, Japan’s Ayaka Furue, and Australian Stephanie Kyriacou — who holed out for eagle at the 18th for her share of second on 68.
“I was a little bit shocked to be honest,” Kyriacou admitted. “I’ve never had a hole-out in a professional tournament, so I guess that was pretty cool.”
American Angel Yin was alone in eighth on 69 — with 14 more players a stroke back on 70.
Chien said a “really good wedge shot” launched her late burst at the fourth.
“I hit a six-foot putt and then the next hole I made a 30-foot birdie. The next hole I hit a nine-iron to the green, hit it to, like, six feet and made another good putt.”
It wasn’t quite what she was expecting when she was doing her final prep work for the opening round.
“I saw the pin sheet last night, and I can’t sleep,” said Chien, who arrived in Texas off a tie for fourth at the Lotte Championship in Hawaii.
“It feels so hard,” she said. “I think we did very well today.”
Among the nine past champions in the field, world number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand had four birdies and three bogeys in a one-under par 71.
“I actually drove the ball really well,” Ko said. “I think from the fairway onwards it wasn’t my sharpest, but to start off at under par I think is a good way to start this week.”
Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, who won the title in 2021, also signed for a 71 as did two-time major winners Brooke Henderson of Canada and Ariya Jutanugarn of Thailand.
Defending champion Jennifer Kupcho, who was among the afternoon starters whose rounds were disrupted by a weather delay of about an hour, opened with an even par 72 and was part of a group sharing 37th that also included 2019 champion Ko Jin-young of South Korea, ranked third in the world.
Korda said the course was softer after the rain, mostly around the greens “where typically if it was a little burnt out I would have hit a bump-and-run, where now I wasn’t sure if that was going to react the way it normally would.”
Korda finished with seven birdies and three bogeys to put herself in contention.
“I took advantage of the par-fives today,” she said. “I think I birdied them all, so that was important, as I’m a bit of a longer hitter. Overall I played pretty well. It was nice to finish the way I did with just a tap-in birdie.”
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cork needed the win more …limerick competed …both sides will be happy at this stage in the year .
Dont know where ye got the stat that limerick were looking to secure their 5th victory on the bounce over cork. Their last 2 meetings were draws
@domas1507: Getting bate after extra time doesn’t count no?
@Padraig McElligott: actually no. The game us officially recorded as a draw if its level at full time. The extra time is to decide who goes forward but the game is officially a draw
@domas1507: Limerick beat Cork on the day officially or otherwise. The last two meetings between the two sides before today – one draw and one Limerick victory. You don’t draw your way into an All Ireland Final.
@Padraig McElligott: we all know ye won so congratulations again and again and again
@Padraig McElligott: So they weren’t going for their 5th victory on the bounce. Thanks for clearing that up.
Should have been thr result in last year’s semi-final…
@Forfar So Good: Hmmm juicy lemons….
@Colm O’Sullivan: Thought i might get someone to bite:-)
@Forfar So Good: aaaaw
Cork deserved the win. They have found a centre back in Tim O’Mahony. He was my man of the match. Limerick could never get into their stride like in previous weeks, and when they did they gifted Cork their second goal. The two new boys, Dooley for Cork and O’Brien for Limerick both performed well. It’s the kickstart that Cork needed and a kick up the backside that Limerick will eventually welcome.
@Colm O’Sullivan: thats probably the best thing said about the game. Fair play
Unbelievable win for Cork against the greatest team to ever play the game and shoe ins for the all Ireland.
Hopefully results like this will help the game develop in developing hurling counties like Cork etc
@damien o brien: :-))))))
@damien o brien: lol
@damien o brien: such unwarranted bitterness and condescension. Well done Cork the better team won today.
There will be absolutely nothing in it if these teams were to meet in the championship.
Will do Limerick no harm at all to taste defeat
@Alan Fitzgerald: Ah jaysus Alan go out and get a bit of air I’d say..
That limerick fella isn’t saying much now!!!!
Great win for Cork, who could have had a few more goals. Held on when it looked for all the money Limerick were going to go through them.
That’s a great result for Cork, winning away to the All-Ireland champions.
Sluggish display from Limerick, did well to draw it back level but missed chances proved costly in the end.
On to Ennis next week now.
So we have a championship after all !! This time last week they were handing Liam to Limerick ….
@David O’Neill: Not really. Prior to Limerick beating Kilkenny and to a lesser degree Tipp, the media have spent pre season telling everyone how Limerick will struggle to get out of Munster let alone mount a title challenge again. Only when they beat Kilkenny did the media have to eat their words and back peddle somewhat to give this team some credit. Any Limerick fan will tell you that they’ll treat every game in Munster and on like a cup final, however we’re tired of being brandished nothing more than a team that “gives 100% commitment”, though plenty of that it’s high time they recognise the skill levels of our hurlers.
@No: Limerick are a serious team and as you say Munster is a minefield but how these journalists make predictions like that in February is beyond me !!! What i will say is 6 or 7 teams will feel they can win it this year !!
@No: You’re a bit over the top there. Nobody is brandishing Limerick like you say. Everyone recognises their skill levels. But they’re starting with a clean slate this year. They’ve a 60% chance of coming out of Munster. No more nor no less than the other 4 counties.
Should’ve been a draw. I don’t begrudge cork there win . But the ref gave limerick a free in 5 from the end …. he hadn’t seen the hand pass to Cian Lynch who was thundering down on the goals with only the keeper to beat ….and he knows he made a mistake (an should have played the advantage) because he wrapped both hands around his head!!
Big scalp for Cork hurlers today.
@Anyone But Cork: actually was cheers. Considering the last few results. Thanks for your support. ; )
Martin Brennan won’t know what to do with himself now tonight with that win!!
Cork needed that big time and that defeat could well be a blessing in disguise for Limerick considering the way they have been built up in the last couple of weeks. Limerick have proved they can win an All-Ireland and will be there or thereabouts again this year. Hopefully Cork improve from last year but still think we are a couple of players short.