In-form Park takes early lead at Hyundai China Ladies Open

Park Sung-hyun had the hot hand during the opening round of the 10th Hyundai China Ladies Open on Friday when the South Korean fired a bogey-free round of 64 to take a two-shot lead at the championship in Hainan Island.

   Defending champion Kim Hyo-joo was tied for second with South Korean compatriot Youn Sun-jeung at the 550,000 US dollars tournament, a co-sponsored event between the China LPGA Tour and the LPGA Tour of Korea (KLPGA).

   Zhang Weiwei was the top Chinese player after a round of 67, tied for equal fourth with South Korean Kim Bo-kyung and Chinese Taipei's Chen Meng-chu.

   World No. 9 Chun In-gee, the top-ranked player in the field, was five shots off the pace as the reigning US Women's Open champion shot a three-under 69 over the Mission Hills Haikou Blackstone course.

   Starting her round in the early morning, the big-hitting Park, a three-time winner on the KLPGA this year, took advantage of the dry conditions that emerged after the wet practice rounds to register eight birdies, including five over the last six holes.

   "Everything is a good. It's a wonderful day without bogeys. The weather is better, so we are able to hit longer than in practice. I don't think I lost distance. Normally my balls wouldn't roll much, so it's OK out there," said the Seoul native.

   "There are a couple of par-five holes where I can hit these greens in two. But today I made mistakes. Three birdies from par-five holes are just up-and-down. Hopefully, I can improve this part of my game."

   With many golf observers predicting the 22-year-old Park to be the next great player to break out of South Korea onto the world stage, she was quick to point out that it was only the first round and there was still a lot of golf to play.

   "I am happy that I am in a strong uptrend this year. I was better than last year and I'm looking forward. I don't think I can be dominant force on the KLPGA Tour without Kim Hyo-joo and Chun In-gee because the field is deep now. I have to muster all my strength to contend for a win. I have played 28 official events, in addition to some invitational events, but to my surprise I didn't feel tired now."

   Kim, a two-time winner of the Hyundai China Ladies Open, also had a bogey-free round in registering six birdies. Surprisingly, the 20-year-old admitted she was intimidated by the 6,342-yard Blackstone course.

   "I was afraid of this golf course in the pro-am because I felt it was too long for me. But with many downwind holes out there today I had a good feeling and finally shot a good number. If the next two days I can have two same rounds I will happy," said the world No. 10 who has won four times in China.

   "Every time I come here, I have had a feeling that I can win again."

   With South Korean players having dominated the tournament in winning for nine consecutive years, the 18-year-old Zhang gave the Chinese fans some hope when she put herself in the mix with five birdies over her first nine holes after starting at the 10th hole.

   "This golf course is like an old friend to me. I have played it many times and I felt comfortable, said the rookie pro. "I was consistent for the whole day. I hit 15 greens and just missed three greens. I made all my birdies within 10 feet. It's a great score, especially in your hometown. Hopefully I can continue tomorrow."

   China's He Muni was the top amateur as the teenager opened with a round of 71.

   The Hyundai China Ladies Open is the final event of the 2015 China LPGA Tour season and the first event of the 2016 KLPGA Tour season.

   The Mission Hills Haikou Blackstone course is a 6,342-yard, par-72 layout designed by Schmidt-Curley.  Endi