GAL TURNS IT AROUND
Germany’s Sandra Gal got off to a hot start in round one with an eagle from 89 yards on the par-4, 2nd hole. She backed up the eagle with three birdies on holes 3, 5 and 8 for an outward nine of 5-under-par 31. Gal finished the day with a score of 67 and sits two shots back of leader Minjee Lee.
Rolex Rankings No. 73 Sandra Gal, who has struggled in her previous two starts during the Asia swing, attributed her good play to some range work with her father, Jan.
“My dad and I worked a little bit on my ball-striking and there was a little bit of a problem with my weight transfer on my feet,” noted Gal. “It just gives you a lot of confidence when you strike it well and when the ball starts on the line that you see.”
Gal did not arrive to Blue Bay until Wednesday afternoon and only played three holes of practice prior to teeing it up today. Gal, who finished in a tie for 5th at the 2015 Blue Bay LPGA and a tie for 17th in 2014, was not concerned with the lack of preparation.
“This is my third week, so I’ve hit a lot of golf balls the last two weeks and I’m in the flow of playing, so arriving late and not being prepared was okay for me because I know the course,” said Gal. “I feel comfortable here.”
NO BOGEYS FOR KORDA
Four-time LPGA Tour winner Jessica Korda shot a bogey-free, first round 67. She heads into round two in a tie for 2nd with Sandra Gal. Korda has carded four top-10 finishes so far in 2016, but not one since the LPGA Volvik Championship back in May. Korda is coming off of a tie for 18th at last week’s LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship.
COMING IN WITH A WINNER’S CONFIDENCE
Carlota Ciganda got off to a good start at the Blue Bay LPGA following her win at last week’s LPGA KEB Hana Bank Championship. With an extra boost of confidence, Ciganda carded five birdies and only one bogey for a 4-under par 68. She is currently tied for 4th place with Korean Chella Choi.
“I feel confident. I’ve been playing good the whole year and I think now it’s showing up. I think now the results are getting all together. I’m just happy, whatever happens, I just want to accept and just keep playing. All is good,” said Ciganda following her first round.
Even though Ciganda was unable to play a practice round, she played the course for the past two tournaments and feels comfortable. Plus, it’s a course she likes.
Ciganda is one of three Spanish LPGA players that have a win on the LPGA Tour. Five of the127 active international players in the LPGA waive the Spanish flag.
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK
Twenty-one year old China LPGA player Sai Ma makes her debut at an LPGA tournament this week. This marks her second competition since starting her professional career earlier this year. She tied for 42nd at her first tournament on the CLPGA Tour earlier this month in Thailand. Ma says playing on Tour is a “dream come true.”
OFF THE FIELD
Michelle Wie enters the field as a sponsor invite. “I love this week,” said Wie who finished with an even-par 72 and is tied for 26th. “The golf course, I think it’s in the best condition I’ve ever seen.”
Wie finished in a tie for 14th at 6-over-par in last year’s tournament, her third best finish in 2015. In the tournament’s first edition, Wie shot 14-under-par and finished in a tie for third.
Beyond the leaderboard, Wie enjoys expressing herself through the arts.
“I love art. I’ve always kind of dabbled in it and experimented with it. I went through a really big painting phase, which I hope I get back into. But right now, I’m just really interested in photography,” Wie said. “I think Instagram and everything is just a great way to express yourself, and photography is just one way that I do it.”
TROPHY TRACKER
With only five events remaining in the 2016 LPGA Tour season, Ariya Jutanugarn has her eyes set on capturing her first Rolex Player of the Year Award. Jutanugarn currently holds a four-point lead over Rolex Rankings No. 1 Lydia Ko who is not in the field this week. Jutanugarn shot a first-round 71 and currently sits in a tie for 11th. Points are awarded to players who finish within the top-10 at each official LPGA tournament.
OF NOTE
Approximately half of this week’s field did not arrive to Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course until Wednesday. Travel was delayed to Hainan Island due to Typhoon Sarika. The rest of the week is expected to be clear.
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