World No. 1 Nelly Korda is currently tied for 11th on four under, while Danielle Kang trails leader Lydia Ko by two strokes after the opening day - watch live throughout the week on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel
Sunday 30 January 2022 14:52, UK
Lydia Ko fired a nine-under 63 at Boca Rio on Thursday as she climbed to the top of the leaderboard after the opening round of the Gainbridge LPGA in Florida.
A superb first round saw the Kiwi deliver three consecutive birdies on two separate occasions to help her finish the day two strokes ahead of American Danielle Kang.
The 24-year-old birdied four of the opening six holes after starting on the back nine, before producing three straight on the front nine.
India's Aditi Ashok is a shot behind Kang on six-under 66, while England's Charley Hull on five under alongside Jeongeun Lee6, Yuka Saso, Hye-Jin Choi, Nasa Hataoka, Gerina Mendoza and Maude-Aimee Leblanc.
Ko arrived in the tournament ranked third in the world behind American Nelly Korda, who is tied for 11th, and South Korea's Jin Young Ko, who is not competing.
"I didn't get into too much trouble, so I was kind of putting myself in play," Ko said. "When I had an opportunity for birdie, for the most part I was able to hole it, which is nice."
Korda is in a pack of 14 golfers on four under that includes English pair Bronte Law and Jodi Ewart Shadoff, along with Canada's Brooke Henderson and Mexico's Gaby Lopez, while Georgia Hall is seven off the pace in tied-30th alongside Lexi Thompson.
Watch the Gainbridge LPGA throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage continues Friday from 4.30pm on Sky Sports Mix, the red button on Sky Sports Golf and - for free - on the Sky Sports Golf YouTube channel!
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