Conditionally seeded on the U.S. Women’s Professional Golf (LPGA) Tour through the Qualifying School, 19-year-old Su Bin Joo made her presence felt.
The 19-year-old is tied for fourth place after the first round of the LPGA Tour’s ShopRite Classic ($1.75 million purse) at Seaview Bay Course 안전놀이터 (par 71, 6190 yards) in Galloway, New Jersey, USA, on Tuesday.
“After the bogey, I made a birdie and got into a good groove,” said Joo, who traded an eagle for four birdies and a bogey to drop five strokes. I made an eagle on the 18th hole (par-5),” he reflected, adding, “The greens were difficult and bumpy, so I practiced a lot of short putts.” “Every day is different in golf, so I will try to play as carefully as possible and not get too excited,” he vowed.
Although her main focus is on the Epson Tour (2nd Division), she is looking forward to the LPGA Tour with a bright and positive personality. She has played on the LPGA Tour twice this year, with her best result being a tie for 48th place at the Lotte Championship in April.
Aside from the surprise breakthrough of “rookie” Joo, there were also veteran performances. Ji-Eun Shin (31-Hanwha Q CELLS) is tied for second with six birdies without a bogey. She is just one stroke behind leader Dani Holmqvist (7-under 64).
Shin, who won her first LPGA Tour event at the 2016 VOA Texas Shootout, hasn’t won since. With the top-ranked players conditioning for the majors, she is on track for her first win in seven years. Shin said, “My shots were good today and I’m happy with my no-bogey play. The greens bounced a lot and I missed a few birdie chances in the back, but I’ll just have to work harder tomorrow,” said Shin.
Ji-Eun Shin, who birdied the final hole to end her first round on a high note, said, “My third shot was difficult, but I hit a good flop shot and the ball stopped within a foot. It was a very meaningful approach shot,” said Shin, “I’m very happy with how I finished the last hole.”
Kim Hyo-Joo (28-LOTTE), who competed on the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) Tour last week, also finished in a tie for ninth place with a 4-under 67. “I came to Korea with a new mindset and was focused. I’m not very happy, but the first day wasn’t too bad, so I think the other two days will go well,” Kim said. “I came with a good rhythm from the KLPGA Tour tournaments, so I tried to maintain that,” said Kim, who spent about a month in Korea recovering from a two-month bout with enteritis. The difference was that I thought a lot about how to focus on my goals.”
The reigning Rookie of the Year, Hae-ran Hae, shot a 1-over-par 72 to finish the first round in a tie for 75th place alongside Park Sung-hyun.