South Korean Goes Low at Evian Masters


Little-known Hyo-Joo Kim fired a 10-under 61 to take the opening-round lead at the Evian Masters. The $3.25 million event, the fifth and final major on the LPGA Tour, started Thursday at Evian Resort Golf Club in Evian-les-Bains, France.

The South Korean had a flawless outing, carding five birdies on each the front and back nines to establish a new course record. According to the LPGA Tour, Kim's 61 is also the lowest opening round ever in a major championship.

The previous low mark was a 62 by Minea Blomqvist of Finland in the third round of the 2004 British Open, and Lorena Ochoa in the first round of the 2006 Kraft Nabisco. The record for a men's major is a 63, a number achieved multiple times.

"I like a hard course," said the 19-year-old Kim, who enjoys a four-stroke lead over World Golf Hall of Fame member Karrie Webb of Australia. "I felt very comfortable today."

"I made a chance (for) a birdie on every (hole)," added Kim, whose best finish on the LPGA is a tie for fourth in the 2012 Evian. "I missed some (but) it didn't matter."

Webb had eight birdies and two bogeys. She owed her strong start to excellent work on the greens. "Probably the best I putted for a long time. Switched to an old putter I used about 12 years ago," the 39-year-old noted.

Five strokes behind Kim is fellow Korean Mi Jung Hur, while trailing by six are defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway and American Brittany Lincicome.

Colombia's Mariajo Uribe, France's Karine Icher, Paraguay's Julieta Granada, Aussie Sarah Jane Smith, the Netherlands' Dewi Claire Schreefel and South Korea's Amy Yang each opened with 68s.

No. 1-ranked Stacy Lewis carded a 70, while No. 2 Inbee Park had a 69. No. 3-ranked New Zealand teenager, Lydia Ko - who finished second by two strokes to Pettersen last year - also had a 69.

Returning to her first competition since recovering from a "stress reaction" in the bone of her right index finger, Michelle Wie withdrew after completing only 13 holes due to lingering effects of the injury.

Wie, who had two double-bogeys and was 5-over when she pulled out, was hoping to be in good enough shape to log her second major of the year. But, despite wearing a blue strapping around her hand, the 2014 U.S. Women's Open champion couldn't continue.

"I had hoped it was a week later but I just really wanted to come to France. I really love this tournament," Wie told reporters. "The doctors told me, 'It's all up to you.' But they did tell me if it did hurt to stop right away because it could get worse."

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