LOS ANGELES – Nasa Hataoka and Emily Kristine Pedersen shared the lead at 4-under 67 halfway through the first round in the LPGA Tour’s DIO Implant LA Open.
Hataoka closed with a birdie on the par-3 18th at breezy Wilshire Country Club. The 23-year-old Japanese player had seven birdies and three bogeys. She has five LPGA Tour victories, winning twice last season.
Pedersen had five birdies and a bogey. The 23-year-old from Denmark is winless on the tour.
“I think you need a bit of confidence going into this course,” Pedersen said according to AP.
“There are a few tight drives, a bit quirky shots into the greens where you really have to be on the right angle and just commit to the shots.”
Sei Young Kim and So Yeon Ryu were a stroke back with Jennifer Song, Haylee Harford, Janie Jackson and Dewi Weber.
“A little windy on the back nine, so couple holes we took a long iron, just trying to make the par,” Kim said. “It´s not easy. You have to pick right number and then it´s going to be release a lot.”
Top-ranked Jin Young had a 71.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson opened with a 76. She had a triple bogey on the par-3 fourth.
The tournament opens a two-week stay in Los Angeles area, with the Palos Verdes Championship next week.
Elsewhere, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are a good team even when they’re playing for cash and not just a flag.
Cantlay holed a 25-foot eagle putt early and chipped in from 40 feet for birdie late, while Schauffele contributed six birdies of his own, and their three straight birdies to close gave them a 13-under 59 in four balls to lead the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
It set a tournament record since the Zurich Classic switched to team play in 2017, and the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup partners were willing to claim a piece of golf’s magic number.
“I haven’t done it before. I don’t think Pat has, either. I’ll count in my book,” Schauffele said.
They had a one-shot lead over the team of Matthew NeSmith and Taylor Moore. The group at 61 included Robert Garrigus and Tommy Gainey, and Aaron Rai and David Lipsky, two teams that have had their share of activity off the course.
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