Kang in Front at KEB-Hanabank Championship


Haeji Kang posted a 5-under 67 to take the 18-hole lead the KEB-Hanabank Championship. The $2 million LPGA Tour event began on a blustery Thursday at Sky 72 Golf Club in Incheon, South Korea.

The 23-year-old from Seoul, who's seeking her first LPGA title, carded six birdies and a bogey for a two-stroke cushion over fellow South Koreans Mirim Lee, Ilhee Lee and Amy Yang, Scotland's Catriona Matthew and Australian Minjee Lee. Yang is the defending champion

"I think looking back on my game overall today, I did very well," said Kang. "Especially in the first nine holes, there were a couple of risks of actually bogeying some holes but I was able to stop and save with my putting."

Tied for seventh following 70s were Koreans Chella Choi, Hee-Kyung Bae and Eun-Hee Ji, Germany's Sandra Gal, Americans Brittany Lincicome and Kim Kaufman, Spain's Beatriz Recari and Norway's Suzann Pettersen.

The opening-round scores were relatively high on a golf course swept by high winds. Lincicome was pleased with how she handled the conditions. "Obviously nobody can prepare for the wind that was today," said the 29-year-old Floridian. "But I think today was more just staying calm and knowing that scores were not going to be super-low and just try to be patient."

China's Shanshan Feng, who won last week's Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia thanks to a final-round 63, carded a 71, a score matched by No. 2-ranked Inbee Park. No. 3 Lydia Ko opened with a 73.

Park or Ko could move into the top spot currently held by Stacy Lewis, who isn't entered this week.

Of the opportunity to supplant the absent Lewis, the newly-married Park said, "I think that recovering the title as being the Rolex Rankings No. 1 player is achievable if I focus week after week. This week will be a good opportunity for me to achieve that goal, especially because Stacy isn't here this week. And although I've been very busy myself, I feel that I can do well.

"For me right now for this championship, recovering my top ranking position is less of a priority because I really want to win Korea. I haven't had a win in Korea. I really want to show my Korean fans that I can win in Korea."

Other scores included a 76 by Michelle Wie, who's playing in her first tournament since withdrawing during the first round of the Evian Championship in September after re-injuring a stress fracture in her right hand.

Women's British Open winner Mo Martin shot a 78, and Paula Creamer had a 9-over 81.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.