Korda off to Good Start in China


Jessica Korda fired a 6-under 66 to take the opening-round lead in the Blue Bay LPGA. The $2 million, 72-hole event began Thursday at the Jian Lake Blue Bay course on Hainan Island, China.

The 21-year-old Bradenton, Fla., native carded five birdies on her first eight holes to make the turn in 5-under 31. Korda, a two-time winner this year, cooled off from there, posting just one more birdie the rest of the way.

But she enjoys a one-stroke lead over fellow Americans Brittany Lang and Michelle Wie, China's Shanshan Feng, German Caroline Masson and South African Lee-Anne Pace.

Despite not being able to use that hot start for an extra-special round, Korda was happy with her start. "I was hitting the ball pretty good and then I made some long putts, as well, off the green," she said. "I guess the putter was just hot on the front nine, so I took advantage of it."

Korda's favorite shot didn't come on one of her birdies but on the par-4 10th when she holed a 65-foot par putt, preventing her from dropping any strokes on the day. "Highlight was No. 10," she said.

"Hit my drive way out right. Didn't hit in the fairway. Then didn't have the right club and the wind took it and I made the putt from across the whole green, from the back of the green to the front of the green."

She also really likes the course and this part of China. "It's amazing. I call this the 'Hawaii of China,' " said Korda, who won the Pure Silk-Bahamas LPGA Classic in January and the Airbus LPGA Classic in May.

"We got here and couldn't see anything because we got here when it was dark. When the sun rose this morning we were amazed. The hotel is amazing and so the golf course, it's in great shape. Hopefully the weather stays nice and it stays calm and we have a great week."

It looks like Wie has recovered from a stress-reaction injury in her right hand that forced her to withdraw from the Evian Championship in September. Last week at the HanaBank Championship in South Korea, the 25-year-old Hawaiian finished a respectable tie for fifth in her first tournament back.

"Missed a couple of birdie chances coming in," said the reigning U.S. Women's Open champion, who recorded five birdies on the day. "It was a fun round today."

The shot of the day came from Danielle Kang, who won a Buick LaCrosse after a hole-in-one on the 155-yard 17th. She used an 8-iron. It was the second ace for the 22-year-old San Francisco native this season and, remarkably, the seventh in her life.

She also had three birdies and a bogey en route to her 68. "I was pretty pumped," said Kang, who still had to play the final hole. "My caddie had to tell me to calm down."

For the second straight week No. 1-ranked Stacy Lewis isn't playing. Also missing the Blue Bay LPGA is No. 2 Inbee Park, who will supplant Lewis atop the new Rolex Ranking when it comes out next Monday. Lewis held the top spot for 21 straight weeks.

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