Manulife LPGA Classic: Cheyenne Woods equals course record 63 to share lead
Friday 5 June 2015 06:10, UK
Cheyenne Woods, Tiger Woods’ niece, fired a course record-equalling nine-under 63 to take a share of the first round lead at the Manulife LPGA Classic.
As her uncle struggled to an opening round 73 at The Memorial Tournament, Woods struck five birdies in a back nine 31 at Whistle Bear Golf Club to match the score set by Matt Bettencourt and Jon Mills at the 2005 Canadian PGA Championship.
That looked set to give Woods the overnight lead, only for Cristie Kerr and then PK Kongkraphan to match her total and set a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.
“It was a great day today,” Woods said. “I played solid and gave myself a lot of birdie chances. Nine under is always nice, so I’ll take that.
“Last week I changed my putting grip so I got a feel for it, putted a little better and this week if feels great. On the greens I feel really comfortable and confident.”
Kerr looked in a danger of contesting for an elusive 59 when she rattled in a fourth birdie in succession at the 18th to reach the turn seven under, but followed up another gain at the third with her only blemish at the par-four next.
Birdies at the sixth and the last lifted the 37-year-old joint-top of the leaderboard, while late-starter Kongkraphan closed with three successive gains to also match Woods' total.
Isreal's Laetitia Beck and Germany's Sandra Gal both sit one shot back, with former champion Brittany Lang and last week’s ShopRite LPGA Classic winner Anna Nordqvist ending their first rounds seven under.
“Last week obviously gave me a lot of confidence and I played so well today,” Nordqvist said. “I hit the ball really well and that’s what you have to do at this course.
“My game is right where I want it to be and it was great today to make so many birdies. Making that eagle at nine from 35-feet was huge.”
World No 1 Lydia Ko got off to a sluggish start and lies eight shots off the pace on one under, with her closest challenger to the top spot, Inbee Park, two strokes closer to the leaders after an opening round 69.
