An Na-rin Grabs Lead at LPGA Tour Championship with Stellar Opening Round
South Korea's An Na-rin surged to the top of the leaderboard after a bogey-free round of 8-under-par 64 in the opening round of the LPGA's season-ending CME Group Tour Championship. Her remarkable performance on Thursday at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, Florida, placed her one shot ahead of Angel Yin and two strokes ahead of Americans Marina Alex and Allisen Corpuz.
Dominating Performance
An's flawless round featured eight birdies, including a stretch of three consecutive birdies starting at the 11th hole. Her putting was key to her success, as she navigated the greens with precision and confidence. Reflecting on her performance, An said, "My putting was really good. The speed and shape were perfect. I stayed focused and just played my game."
This stellar start gives An a strong chance to secure the $4 million winner's prize, the largest in women’s golf history. However, she insists she's treating this tournament like any other, saying, "A tournament is a tournament for me. I just do my best."
Key Contenders
Angel Yin: Ranked 34th, Yin delivered an impressive round of 65, which included an eagle on the par-5 17th. Despite a rocky start with two bogeys, Yin found her rhythm with a series of birdies and the crucial eagle to stay within striking distance. "It's a good head start for the big prize at the end of the week," Yin remarked.
Marina Alex and Allisen Corpuz: Both Americans carded 66 to share third place, staying within two shots of the lead.
Lydia Ko: The two-time event winner shot a 67, sharing fifth with five other players, including Sweden's Linn Grant and Thailand's Ariya Jutanugarn. Ko described her round as steady and capitalized on key birdie opportunities.
Notable Players
World number one Nelly Korda, who has already clinched the LPGA Player of the Year award, struggled with consistency and finished with a level-par 72. Starting with a birdie, Korda faltered with back-to-back bogeys on the third and fourth holes but managed to stabilize her round later.
High Stakes
The CME Group Tour Championship features the top 60 players in the season-long points race, competing for a record $11 million purse. With a stacked leaderboard and a record-breaking prize on the line, the remaining rounds promise intense competition as players aim for one last victory in the season finale.
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