KUALA LUMPUR: Japan’s Mika Miyazato and South Korea’s Lee Jee-Young upstaged a star-studded field at the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia to take a one-stroke lead after the first day on Friday. Big crowds turned up to watch the likes of Cristie Kerr, Michelle Wie and Natalie Gulbis, but it was the strength of the Asian players on the LPGA Tour that stood out with Miyazato and Lee both firing 66.
It left them five-under-par and one stroke ahead of another Korean, Han Hee-Won, while four players – Alena Sharp, Maria Hjorth, Ahn Shi-Hyun and superstar Wie – are tied for fourth on 68. Miyazato, who ended her round with five birdies and no bogeys, was happy with the way she played. “I was hitting the ball very well and I was just focusing on making par,” said the 21-year-old, who won her first professional career title earlier this month at the Japan Women’s Open. “Tomorrow, I will focus on one shot at a time.”
Lee, who shot an even better seven birdies, said that she was pleased with the way she handled the greens and felt that improvements to her swing this year had helped her game. “My swing was very short before, but last year I changed my technical coach and now I play more of a feel shot,” said the 25-year-old. Wie, who played her round with Yani Tseng and Suzann Pettersen, felt the heat and humidity at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
“It was a long day. I feel like I’ve been out here for a long time, but it was a fun day, a really fun group with Suzann and Yani, and I’m looking forward to the next two days,” she said. “I think I did pretty well. I’m just going out there just grinding. It’s very hot, so you’re taking one shot at a time.” Among the other big names, Pettersen (69), Gulbis (70) and Kerr (72) remain within striking distance, with Choi Na-Yeon (74), Tseng (75), and Ai Miyazato (76) looking for better days on Saturday – DailyTimes
