GOING LOW
Today’s round marked several milestones for Mirim Lee personally and earned her a spot in the record books. It’s only the third round of 62 recorded at an LPGA major championship and tied for second lowest overall. She tied the tournament record with Minea Blomqvist who shot 62 in the third round in 2004.
Today’s round tied her career low in an LPGA official event but wasn’t the lowest she’s ever posted. Lee shot a 61 in the third round of the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in 2013 where she finished second behind Jaye Marie Green. Asked whether it was the best round she’s ever played, Lee said she still felt like she left a few shots out there.
“I would say so. I mean, I had a few missed shots but they weren’t really big of an error or anything. I would say it’s one of the best."
Lowest Round At A Major Championship
| Score | Player | Event | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Hyo Joo Kim | 2014 Evian Championship | First Round |
| 62 | Mirim Lee | 2016 RICOH Women's British Open | First Round |
| 62 | Minea Blomqvist | 2004 RICOH Women's British Open | Third Round |
| 62 | Lorena Ochoa | 2006 ANA Inspiration | First Round |
ALL EYES ON ME
Charley Hull admitted to feeling the extra eyeballs on her during today’s first round and the usually calm and collected Englishwoman said that she actually felt nervous. She put on a good show for her fellow Woburn members and family and friends with a 4-under 68.
“Yeah, I do feel the pressure,” said Hull. “Honestly the first tee shot today was probably the most nervous I’ve ever been on a golf course, and I never usually get nervous, so it was quite weird.”
SLOW START FOR KO
Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lydia Ko struggle out of the gates posting 2-over 74 in the first round and is T-89. The 19-year-old had only two birdies on the day. She had four bogeys and finished bogey-bogey on her final two holes. She’s only shot worse than 74 ten times in her entire LPGA career. Her career worst round of 80 came at this event in 2014 in the final round.
“You know, nothing was really that great. My short game wasn’t that great to cover up for the missed shots and when I did hit it close, the putts didn’t go in,” said Ko. “When that’s the case, you’re not going to shoot a low score. But hopefully a few more putts drop tomorrow. I’ve just got to stay positive. There’s still a lot of golf to be played, and just hit one shot at a time. It’s not an easy course but by the looks of it, it’s playing easy for a couple of the girls. But it’s because they are playing great.”
KEEP IT GOING
Only six players have recorded top-20 finishes in the first three majors of the year. Out of those six, only two players, Ariya Jutanugarn (2nd) and So Yeon Ryu (T11) are on pace to keep the streak alive.
| Player | ANA Inspiration | KPMG Women's PGA Championship | U.S. Women's Open |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lydia Ko | 1 | 2 | T3 |
| Gerina Piller | T6 | T12 | T8 |
| So Yeon Ryu | T10 | T4 | T11 |
| Amy Yang* | T14 | 7 | T3 |
| Jodi Ewart Shadoff | T18 | T17 | T8 |
| Ariya Jutanugarn | 4 | 3 | T17 |
*Amy Yang is not in the field this week.
CLOSE CALL
Nine-year LPGA Tour veteran Shanshan Feng pulled a rookie move on Thursday at Woburn. The 26-year-old misjudged the timing of the player shuttle and nearly missed her 11:15 a.m. tee time. She ran from the nearby cart path to arrive just before the first tee announcer started announcing their group.
“Once I showed up, I said ‘I’m here!’” said Feng. “I wanted to make sure they saw me.”
Feng wasn’t startled and said she hit her tee shot down the middle of the fairway. She also admitted that this is the first time she has used a greens book. She used only 26 putts in her round of 66.
“It really worked,” said Feng. “Had four birdies in a row on the front nine and three of them were from long putts so it really helped my putting.”
ABOUT THE RICOH Women’s British Open
The RICOH Women’s British Open became a major championship on the LPGA Tour in 2001, and is celebrating its 16th edition in 2016. The Women’s British Open was played as a non-major for seven years prior, from 1994 to 2000, and this major replaced the du Maurier Classic, which was played for 22 years from 1979 to 2000.
ABOUT WOBURN GOLF CLUB
Woburn Golf Club is hosting the RICOH Women’s British Open for the first time as a major in tournament history and the 10th time overall. The first Women’s British Open Championship was played in 1976 and Woburn hosted nine times from 1984 to 1999. Thirteen different players have won the trophy including two-time champions Jiyai Shin (2008, 2012) and Yani Tseng (2010, 2011).
DEFENDING CHAMPION
Defending champion Inbee Park is not in the field this week due to a thumb injury. In 2015, Park completed the career grand slam at the RICOH Women’s British Open and became the first player to win four different majors since Annika Sorenstam in 2003.
WIRE-TO-WIRE WINNERS
Three players have gone wire-to-wire to win the RICOH Women's British Open. Jeong Jang accomplished the feat in 2005, followed by Lorena Ochoa in 2007 at St. Andrews, Old Course and Yani Tseng in 2010.
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