INCHEON, South Korea: American Alison Lee topped the leaderboard after the first round of the LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship in Incheon Thursday, but the day really belonged to Korean legend Pak Se-Ri as she bade an emotional farewell to the game.
Seemingly fully recovered from a niggling injury that has shadowed her play this year, Lee hit a seven-under par 65 to lead the field by three clear strokes.
A whopping 15 strokes further back at eight-over par was the 39-year-old Pak, the five-time major winner playing in her last tournament and in front of her home crowd.
It was a celebratory 18-holes for Pak who withdrew from the event at the end of the day, after a tearful retirement ceremony in front of a large crowd of adoring fans.
“I am really grateful that I can retire amid the blessing of such fans,” said the hall of famer.
“I’ll do my best to help young players to move forward. Please continue loving golf. I love you all.”
Pak’s rookie season victory in the 1998 US Open — when she was just 20 years old — is still seen as a watershed moment in the women’s game.
She was not only the first Korean, but also the first Asian to win the oldest women’s major, and became the poster girl for a South Korean golfing boom that has since gone from strength to strength.
Behind Lee with rounds of four-under 68 were five players — Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, France’s Karine Icher, Lizette Salas of the United States and South Korea’s Cho Jeong-Min and Kim In-Kyung.
“I gave myself a lot of chances at birdie. Putting was definitely one of my strengths today,” Lee told reporters.
“I think I only missed one or two putts inside 15 feet,” she added.
It’s been a difficult season for Lee, trying to balance a full LPGA Tour schedule with her pursuit of a communications degree at UCLA.
She also had to undergo physical therapy to cope with an injured shoulder that resulted in five consecutive missed cuts between April and May.
Defending champion Lexi Thompson posted an opening round two-under par 70 to sit five strokes behind the lead.
World No.1 Lydia Ko struggled on day one, carding a three-over par 75 to match her highest round of the season.
Poulter, Pigem share lead
England’s Ian Poulter hit a masterful seven-under-par 64 to share the first round lead with Spaniard Carlos Pigem at the Venetian Macao Open on Thursday.
Returning after a four-month injury layoff, Poulter birdied all the par five holes at Macau Golf and Country Club and did not drop a shot in the $1.1 million Asian Tour tournament.
Pigem matched him with a stunning outward 28, which included five birdies and one eagle.
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat was a shot further back on 65 after two closing birdies.
India’s Anirban Lahiri hit a bogey-free 66 to share fourth place with Australian Marcus Fraser.
Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines carded a 67 to share sixth with Australians Marcus Both and Kalem Richardson and India’s Chiragh Kumar.
Former Ryder Cup star Poulter was pleased with his return after 14 weeks off to rest his arthritic right foot.
“I just tried to get my game into shape coming out here. I birdied all the par fives which is obviously very helpful and I didn’t make any mistake. It’s the type of course where if you don’t make a mistake, you can piece together a very nice score,” he said in comments on the Asian Tour website.
Lee on top as tearful Pak says final farewell
Lee on top as tearful Pak says final farewell
