Hurst and Kim take first round honours in Korea

October 29, 2010 | 22:36

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American Vicky Hurst and local hope Kim Song-Hee fired blistering first round 68s to take a one stroke lead after the opening round of the LPGA Hana Bank Championship on Friday.

They mastered the cold conditions on the Ocean Course at the Sky 72 Golf Club in Incheon to ensure a narrow advantage over another Korean, defending champion and world number six Choi Na-Yoen and Taiwan's Amy Hung.

A chasing pack of eight is a shot further adrift.

In that group is American starlet Michelle Wie, gunning for her third career title, along with Australia's Katherine Hull and Jimin Kang, who claimed a a thrilling one-stroke victory in Malaysia last Sunday.

Newly-crowned world number one Cristie Kerr stroked 71 to be three off the pace, along with fellow American and LPGA Hall of Famer Juli Inkster who was the runner-up last weekend.

Hurst, whose mother is from Korea, said she struggled in the cold weather at first but soon found her groove.

"It was really cold this morning. I thought that it was going to be warmer today, but standing on the putting green, I was really cold," she said.

"I just tried to keep warm starting out and stay steady because balls aren't going to be flying as far, and I probably won't be able to attack pins right away.

"I just tried to hit fairways, greens, two-putt, make pars and keep going and staying warm."

Co-leader Kim, who has been incredibly consistent over the past year or so but has yet to win a title, said it was a bogey she wanted to get off he back.

"It gives me some pressure, but it's not my last tournament," she said.

"I'm still young and will have a lot of chances to win. I will not be disappointed if I don't win this tournament. But one thing for sure is I will try to my best."

The tournament features the top 50 players from the LPGA money list along with the top 12 from the Korean tour.

AFP

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