▲ Kim Sei-young
Kim Sei-young made a strong start toward a major title, finishing the first day of the U.S. Women's Open (total purse of $12.5 million) in solo second place.
On Friday (KST), Kim shot a 4-under 67 with five birdies and one bogey in the first round of the 81st U.S. Women's Open, held at the Riviera Country Club (Par 71) in Pacific Palisades, California.
She is one stroke behind the leader, Jennifer Kupcho of the United States, who carded a 5-under 66.
Fellow competitors Yoo Hyun-jo, Yoon Ina, and Kang MINJI (all at 3-under 68) tied for third, while Shin Ji-yai and Australian Minjee Lee, the 2023 champion of this tournament, tied for eighth with a 2-under 69.
World No. 3 Kim Hyo-joo, who has won twice this season on the LPGA Tour, had a sluggish start, tying for 87th after carding a 3-over 74.
Kim, whose best finish at this tournament was a tie for eighth in 2017, played a steady game to surge near the top of the leaderboard, recording a 71% fairway hit rate, 61% greens in regulation, and only 25 putts in the first round.
Starting on the 10th hole (Par 4), Kim built momentum by landing her second shot right in front of the cup for a birdie, followed by another birdie on the 11th hole (Par 5).
After shaving off two strokes on the front nine, Kim suffered her first bogey on the 3rd hole (Par 3) but quickly climbed to solo second by carding three consecutive birdies from the 6th to 9th holes.
She showed an exceptional putting touch, particularly on the 8th (Par 4) and 9th (Par 4) holes, where she sank consecutive long putts of well over 8 meters.
With Yoo Hyun-jo and Kang MINJI each recording four birdies and one bogey in the first round, and Yoon Ina carding five birdies and two bogeys, the three South Korean players stood side-by-side in a tie for third.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.