Pornanong Opens with a 68 @ Australian Open
Pornanong Phatlum came back from an opening bogey to fire a 68, three behind Australian leader Katherine Kirk during the first round of the par 73 ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open on Thursday.
The in-form Thai started her round with a bogey on the 10 th before she turned the tide with an eagle chip from the fringe of the green on the 17th. The world No 44 then shot four birdies at the front nine to finish her round at tied sixth in the second LPGA event of the season.
“It was windy in the afternoon and I didn’t start well. But after that 15-yard eagle chip, I began to find my momentum. It was a good round for me,” said the world No 44 who finished at tied fifth in the season opener in Bahamas two weeks ago.
“I always start well every year. But as I’ve grown up, I have gained more experience and know what I have to do,” added the 27-year-old ranked best among Thai players in the event.
“The course here is not long, so players can shoot a lot of scores. I have to sick to my game plan and hope to putt well like today.”
Kirk took the lead since in the morning, going out in 33 and bringing it home with a 32.
The Australian native carded a bogey-free 8-under par, 65 on Thursday to take a two-stroke lead, taking advantage of ideal conditions in the morning at Royal Adelaide.
Kirk, a 14-year veteran, has been winless on the LPGA Tour since 2010, finishing 110th on the money list in 2016.
“I had a lot of birdie chances. I think I hit maybe 16 greens, 15 greens, so that helps. But I had a couple of tap-ins too for birdie,” explained Kirk. “There are low numbers to be had out there. There are a lot of birdie opportunities. I was just fortunate I got off to a good start and just kept the momentum going.”
Kirk will sleep on a two-shot lead over Min Lee, Chella Choi, Marissa Steen and Jane Park, all at 6-six under-par.
Lee cruised to a 6-under par today in the afternoon wave.
“I played really good today, especially I play with a Taiwanese amateur and then it’s been a long time that I haven’t played with Taiwanese amateur, especially she’s younger than me and maybe first time or second time playing on the LPGA Tournament, so it’s a lot of fun chatting with her and then especially talking about stuff as amateur, how she’s going and how’s all the tournament, how’s training,” said Lee. “That helped me a lot because everything’s very relaxing.”
Sherman Santiwiwatthanaphong and Moriya Jutanugarn, each with a 71, were at tied 25th along with world No 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand.
Wichanee Meechai, who just earned her card this year through the Symetra Tour, and world No 2 Ariya Jutanugarn followed a stroke behind at joint 41st.
