Shanshan Feng Stay at #1 Helping Grow Golf in China
Shanshan Feng feels the pressure of being of No. 1 in the world, but it doesn’t seem to bother her. She’s learning to deal with the constant chatter about her position at the top of the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
On Wednesday, she took another step towards keeping the green caddy bib for a 23rd straight week with a 5-under, 67.
She leads by one shot over a trio of players including Canadian Brooke Henderson, who turned in a clean scorecard with four birdies and no bogeys. Haeji Kang of Korea and Martina Edberg of Sweden are also at 4-under, 68. World No. 3 Inbee Park is part of a group of six just two shots back at 3-under, 69.
“I saved pars early in my round and then I got my confidence back,” said Feng, who made six birdies and no bogeys over her final 17 holes after a bogey on her first. “My putting was really good and I’m happy about that because it hasn’t been good.”
Feng made a switch with the putter this week. She’s now using the Callaway White Hot RX and attempted just 26 putts on the round.
Feng has two top 10 finishes in five starts this year and has finished inside the top 30 in each of her starts in 2018.
The 9-time LPGA winner started playing golf when she was ten years old in China and had no idea that one day she could be No. 1 in the world. She reflected on hitting balls off mats as a kid and having very little time to practice her short game.
She improved slowly yet surely once arriving on the LPGA, but something clicked last year.
“I was like, ‘you know what? I'm 27 (years old) already’, if I want to get to No. 1 (in the world), this is the time. So that was my goal and I did it.”
Feng’s stay at No. 1 in the world coupled with her bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games has really helped to grow golf in China.
Feng told media in Hawaii that in 2015 there were only 3,000 registered in the China Golf Association. Last year, there were 30,000.
Wie Loves Seeing Familiar Faces in Hawaii
Despite a double-bogey on her 15th hole of round one, Hawaii’s own Michelle Wie still turned on an even-par, 72 in tough conditions.
She sprinkled four birdies on the scorecard.
“I'm happy with the way I finished," said Wie, who closed with three pars after the double. "I Played consistently out there, and hopefully over the next couple days I make a couple more birdies."
Wie, who has loved in Florida for a number of years, isn’t used to the windy Hawaii conditions. Wind was a major factor in round one as wind speeds sustained at 10-20 miles-an-hour and gusted to 20-30.
"I feel like back in the day I was really used to it (wind), because I played every week (in the wind),” explained Wie. “Now that I'm living on the mainland and come back I get a little surprised by it. Makes it a little bit tougher, but it's fun. I like playing in the wind. I think this golf course should be played in the wind.”
Wie is in a tie for 22nd after round one.
She has one win and four top 25 results in six starts this year. She is up to No. 13 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
Wie circles this event on the schedule every year. She’d love to win again on the island like 2014.
“I love seeing familiar faces in the crowd, a lot my friends came out to watch," said Wie. “To me, playing in Hawaii, is a very special feeling, something that I cherish and look forward to every year.”
Defending Champ Kerr Pleased with 1-under
Defending LOTTE Championship winner Crisite Kerr made three birdies over her final eight holes to get in the clubhouse at 1-under, 71.
"I feel like I played better this first round than I did last year," said Kerr, who totaled 20-under at the end of four days in 2017. "More determination is key, I was a little wishy-washy with my clubs and hit some bad shots early. I just mentally hung in there against the wind."
Kerr will go for her 21st career win this weekend.
Julieta Granada Shows Promise in Season Debut
Julieta Granada's lone win on the LPGA came in 2006 as a rookie. Twelve years later, she's still battling for starts and showed promise in her season debut on Wednesday by carding a 3-under, 69 to stand in a tie for fifth place.
"I'm super happy with my round," said Granada. "Obviously had to Monday qualify to have a tee time, and just making the best out of the chance that I got."
In fact, Granada had to scratch and claw just to get into the field by firing a 4-under, 68 and then winning the second spot in the field on the third playoff hole.
She made three birdies over her first five holes on Wednesday and tallied five total birdies.
Granada made eight starts on the LPGA last year and missed the cut in each. Her last made cut came in June of 2016 and her last top 10 finish was the 2015 Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic.
"I don't have a full card, so I'm just grinding my way back and working hard on any game mentally and just enjoying the opportunities that I get. So you kind of look at it a different way when you don't have a chance to start in every tournament. I've been on both sides so I learned to appreciate what I have a little bit more."
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