The seven-time major winner, bidding for a third win in the tournament after 2015 and 2017 triumphs, snared eight birdies in sweltering conditions at Singapore’s Sentosa Golf Club on Thursday to top the leaderboard ahead of fellow South Korean Hee-Young Park (65).
“I had a great day today,” said the World No.2. “It was a great putting day, I hit the ball really well and made plenty of fairways and greens.”
The 32-year-old hit a sublime approach shot at the third hole to commence her birdie blitz and would have been even further in front of the field had she not just missed a relatively straightforward putt at the last.
Hee-Young’s mix of an eagle, six birdies and a single bogey gave her a two-shot advantage over five players who carded 67s for a share of third at a tournament sometimes dubbed “Asia’s major”.
“I had a great day today. It was a great putting day, I hit the ball really well and made plenty of fairways and greens.” – Inbee Park
Former World No.1 Sung Hyun Park, who won the tournament the last time it was held in 2019, continued her poor run of form with the worst round of the day, a six-over-par 78.
She is guaranteed to play at the weekend, however, as the 69-player event has no cut.
Inbee said it had been hotter out on the course than in previous years at Sentosa.
“I’m just looking to get through the next three days and get out of here,” she said.
Su Oh is Australia’s leading player after shooting 68. She is four behind Inbee after mixing seven birdies with a double bogey and bogey.
Compatriots Minjee Lee and Katherine Kirk are one behind her while two shots further back of them is Hannah Green.
© Golf Australia. All rights reserved.
