Korda and Mi tied after opening round in Taiwan LPGA

Hur managed to stay bogey-free on Thursday despite hitting only 6 of 14 fairways in tricky weather conditions that saw rain and swirling winds. Korda, who became a Rolex First-Time Winner at this event in 2018, had three bogeys coupled with seven birdies and an eagle to get off to a hot start. While there is pressure to defend her title, Korda said she was feeding off the support she got from the gallery in Chinese Taipei.  

 

“It's definitely so special,” Korda said of being the defending champion. “I'm recognized by so many people now and everyone is really rooting for me. They are like, "Again! Again!" Hopefully I can get it done but there's still a lot of golf to be played.”

 

Australia’s Minjee Lee, who was runner-up to Korda at the event in 2018, sits in third at 5-under par following the first round. Lee was able to take advantage of the conditions on the back nine with four birdies and said that was key to her opening-round success.

 

“It was pretty windy out there, so I started with a birdie, which is nice, and then I think I took a little more advantage on the back nine where you could really -- some of the holes were downwind, so you would have a shorter shot in,” Lee said. “I holed a nice couple putts out of range [including a 30-footer on No. 5] so that was nice, too. I think overall, it was pretty solid.”

 

Four players are tied for fourth at 4-under par following the first round, Amy Olson, Caroline Masson, Angel Yin and Su Oh.

 

EAGLE PROVIDES BOOST FOR DEFENDING CHAMP

“Finally!” Nelly Korda said to her caddie, Jason McDede, as she watched her perfectly struck controlled 8-iron find the bottom of the cup from 131-yards for an eagle on the par-4 15th. The eagle proved to be just the boost the 21-year-old needed to start her first career title defense off on the right foot. 

 

“Well, actually, when I holed out, it was just like, finally, because I've been so close this year, and it's lipped-out a couple of times. Finally when it went in, it felt really good.”

 

Thanks to the eagle on 15 and seven birdies, Korda heads into the second round tied atop the leaderboard at 6-under par. Korda hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation on Thursday, a stat that she says has been key to her impressive 2019 season.  

 

“I think just on my irons a lot,” Korda, on what she’s been working on to post consistent results. “I make sure to dial in my irons quite well. I think that's kind of what I've done really well this year is I've raised my greens in reg, and I've given myself a lot of opportunities.”

 

 

HUR’S HOT STREAK CONTINUES

Mi Jung Hur went five years between her maiden LPGA title at the 2009 Cambia Portland Classic, and her second career win at the 2014 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic. Hur then waited another five years to hoist the trophy at the 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open amidst rain and windy conditions. Hur’s five-year waiting streak would end there as she won the Indy Women in Tech Championship just two starts later in wire-to-wire fashion.

 

Hur got off to another great start as she posted a bogey-free 66 on Thursday at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA to sit in a tie for the lead. Hur’s not letting her recent success go to her head, however, she said she’s sticking to her process and keeping her mind on the task at hand.

 

“I don't want to like think about up any other wins -- even when I win the Indy Women in Tech -- I didn't think about the win. During the week I'm just trying to stay in the present. My goal for this year, I just want to focus on my present because it's too hard. I think it's harder than win the tournament.”

 

Hur might have a secret weapon at her disposal this week. Her husband, Kevin Wang, who she says rarely gets to attend LPGA events is in the gallery this week as he was for her wins in Scotland and Indianapolis. Hur’s parents are also in Chinese Taipei this week.

 

 

PLAYER NOTES

Rolex Rankings No. 8 Nelly Korda (66)

• Korda hit 10 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens, with 27 putts
• Korda is making her third career start at the event, she won in 2018 and finished T27 in 2017
• In 2019, Korda has made 18 starts with 10 top-10 finishes including a win at the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open
• Became a Rolex First-Time Winner at the 2018 Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA, which was played at the Ta Shee Golf and Country Club
• Korda and her older sister Jessica (five wins) are one of three sets of sisters in LPGA history to both win titles, joining Annika Sorenstam (72 wins) and Charlotta Sorenstam (one win), and Ariya Jutanugarn (10 wins) and Moriya Jutanugarn (one win)

 

Rolex Rankings No. 22 Mi Jung Hur (66)

• Hur hit 6 of 14 fairways and 14 of 18 greens, with 26 putts
• Hur is making her sixth career start at the event, her lone top-10 finish came in 2013 (T8)
• In 2019, Hur has made 21 starts with five top-10 finishes including wins at the Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open and the Indy Women in Tech Championship
• Went 112 starts between wins at the 2014 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic and the 2019 Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open; made two starts between her win in Scotland and Indianapolis
• Hur is one of six players to have multiple wins this season, joining Hannah Green (2), Brooke Henderson (2), Jin Young Ko (4), Sei Young Kim (2) and Sung Hyun Park (2)

 

Rolex Rankings No. 9 Minjee Lee (67)

• Lee hit 10 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens, with 29 putts
• Lee is making her fifth start at the Taiwan Swinging Skirts LPGA this week, in four previous appearances she has never finished outside the top 20 with a runner-up finish in 2018
• In 2019, Lee has made 23 LPGA starts with seven top-10 finishes including a win at the HUGEL-AIR PREMIA LA Open and three runner-up results