KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — Jasmine Suwannapura of Thailand had seven birdies and an eagle for a 9-under 63 on Thursday to take the first-round lead on the LPGA’s Maybank Championship at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Nation Membership.
Australian Hannah Inexperienced, the 2019 PGA Championship winner, was a stroke behind after a 64. Australian Grace Kim and Individuals Rose Zhang and Gina Kim had been among the many gamers two strokes behind and tied for third after 65s.
Norway’s Emily Kristine Pedersen and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez had been amongst these with 66s, three strokes behind within the match being held for the primary time in Malaysia.
Lydia Ko shot 68 whereas Nelly Korda and Brooke Henderson shot 69s.
The spherical started underneath sunny skies and sizzling situations, however the climate turned cloudy and grey within the afternoon with thunderstorms resulting in a major delay after 54 gamers had accomplished their first spherical.
Eight teams and 32 gamers had been left to finish the primary spherical, and after 3 hours, 48 minutes, they had been capable of name it a day.
The 30-year-old Suwannapura teed off within the first group of the break day the tenth tee.
“Beginning the primary couple of holes, I attempted to play sort of little secure … as a result of I solely performed six holes for the apply spherical and acquired to stroll on the again 9 on pro-am day on the cart path, so I do not actually know the course,” Suwannapura mentioned. “I really feel like with low expectation at this time then the consequence come out actually good. Lots of putts dropped for me, and it is good feeling to begin with a low rating this week for positive.”
Inexperienced birdied her last gap simply earlier than play was halted due to the storm.
“I truly did not notice how shut it was getting till I walked again after trying on the inexperienced on my — for my third shot on the final,” Inexperienced mentioned. “I used to be like, ‘Oh, my gosh, I actually do not wish to be caught on the placing inexperienced with who is aware of how lengthy of a delay.’ So it was good for that putt to fall in, and clearly in good place for the match.”
That is the third of 4 LPGA occasions on the tour’s Asian swing. Australian Minjee Lee gained final week’s South Korea cease in a playoff, and the ultimate match is subsequent week’s Toto Traditional in Japan. Lee shouldn’t be enjoying this week in Malaysia.
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