Hye-Jin Choi, Minami Katsu lead The Annika with Nelly Korda 2 back
SOUTH KOREA’s Hye-Jin Choi rattled off four birdies in a row on the back nine and added another at No. 18 to share the first-round lead with Japan’s Minami Katsu at The Annika on Thursday in Belleair, Fla.
South Korean golfer Hye-Jin Choi and Japanese player Minami Katsu led The Annika tournament in Belleair, Florida, on Thursday. Choi and Katsu were one stroke ahead of American Lindy Duncan, who had a hole-in-one at the par-3 third hole. World No. 1 Nelly Korda was tied for fourth place at 7-under 63. Choi and Katsu had a bogey-free round and made 17 of 18 greens in regulation, with Choi hitting four consecutive birdies on the back nine.
Katsu hit 14 fairways, but missed five greens. Both Choi and Katsu are seeking their first win on the LPGA Tour, although Katsu has only won in Japan. Duncan, projected to move up to No. 46 in the rankings, aimed to make her mark in the CME Group Tour Championship, which will feature the top 60 players in the points race. Korda, the defending champion, completed her round with a 2-under 68.
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