Stacy Lewis Starts Hot at Honda LPGA Thailand
With temperatures in the mid-90s and the sun heating up the tropical humidity the Honda LPGA Thailand field mopped their brows and fired off one birdie after another. When it was over and the cards were signed, Stacy Lewis, Brittany Lang and Yani Tseng were sharing the overnight lead at 6-under par, with a quintette trailing by one shot at 5-under and four more taking a good look at the top of the board with 4-under par first rounds. In short, it was a very good day at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course for an even dozen golfers.
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Lewis, Lang & Tseng
Stacy Lewis came to Thailand to play some golf, even though she didn’t get in any early week practice because her clubs took an airline detour and didn’t arrive until Wednesday. Apparently she didn’t need any warm-up. Lewis opened her round with an eagle and wrapped up the Pattaya Old Course front nine with a 7-under 29 and the lead. It didn’t last. The balls stopped dropping and then she ran into a couple of problems on the back nine, gave back shots, and went to the house in a 3-way tie with Lang and Tseng for the overnight lead.
I was pleased coming out today with the ball striking. – Stacy Lewis
America’s top golfer, Lewis has had a decent start to her season, finishing T8th at the Coates Golf Championship and T11th at the Pure Silk-Bahamas; and she’s historically played well in Thailand. That bogey on 18 was just part of the game, the result of “a couple of bad decisions.” On the whole, Lewis was satisfied with her 1st round game, as well she should. She made her way around the Old Course with a meager 24 putts.
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Lang and Tseng are pleased with their 1st round performances as well. Lang’s thinking about Solheim Cup points and Tseng, who had back-to-back wins here in 2011 and 2012, feels at home in Thailand.
Chasing the Leaders
Tseng, who was driving an average of 325 yards, played the first round with Tour rookie Ariya Jutanugarn, Thailand’s rising teen star, who carded a 1st round 67 and trails the leaders by a single shot going into the 2nd round. Jutanugarn’s a power player too, although she couldn’t keep up with Tseng today, either off the tee or on the putting surface. Something’s clicking with Tseng’s new coaching team. I hope it continues.
Jutanugarn and Budsabakorn Sukapan are Thailand;s best hope for a home-town champion this week. They’re going into the 2nd round, alongside Lizette Salas, Amy Yang, and Mirim Lee at 5-under par and in a tournament that’s showing all the signs of producing high red numbers they’re positioned to stay competitive if they can keep up the pace.
2nd Round Movers
I’m looking for Jutanugarn and Yang to break out of this second tier pack during the 2nd round and start crowding Lewis, Tseng and Lang.
A bit further down the leaderboard, Inbee Park and Shanshan Feng ended the first round at 2-under, but I think the odds are good that neither of them will stay down there in a tie for 17th place. All they need to do is eliminate some putts, and they’re both capable of doing that. I’m watching them for a 2nd round move as well.
2nd Round Media Coverage
Golf Channel will provide 2nd round coverage of the Honda LPGA Thailand beginning at 1am Friday, February 27 and will rebroadcast highlights at 11am and 7pm on Friday.
You can follow the round on the Tour’s electronic leaderboard and I’ll provide a wrap-up as well. Follow me on Twitter @bethbethel and I’ll notify you when I post commentary and updates.