LOS ANGELES (United States) — New Zealand’s Lydia Ko fired a 12-under par 60 to seize a one-stroke lead over South Korea’s Kim Hyo-joo in the first round of the LPGA Ford Championship.
Three-time major winner Ko, a 28-year-old Seoul-born Kiwi, shot her career-low LPGA score at Whirlwind Golf Club’s Cattail course in Phoenix, Arizona.
With 12 birdies in a bogey-free round, Ko delivered only the eighth 60 in LPGA history and just the third since 2010.
“I holed some putts that I didn’t expect to go in and I got a few good breaks and also hit a few good shots. Just a combination where things were going well,” Ko said.
“I really wasn’t that nervous and nine and eight aren’t just gimme birdies anyway, so to birdie those and just finish at 60, I’m excited I finished at that score rather than feeling disappointed that I didn’t break 60.”
