England duo Charley Hull and Lottie Woad made sturdy begins to the LPGA Tour’s Kroger Queen Metropolis Championship, as Chanettee Wannasaen grabbed the early lead in Ohio.
Wannasaen carded an eagle and 7 birdies in a bogey-free 63 to set the clubhouse goal at TPC River’s Bend, with world No 2 Nelly Korda among the many chasing pack after an opening-round 67.
Hull – who has completed tied-second in her final two worldwide begins – made a string of early birdies in her four-under 68, with Woad additionally 5 again after three birdies in her final 5 holes.
Solheim Cup duo Maja Stark and Celine Boutier have been among the many different gamers to publish an opening-round 68, with world No 1 Jeeno Thitikul and defending champion Lydia Ko a part of the afternoon wave.
Hull – starting on her again 9 – birdied her opening two holes and added one other on the par-three thirteenth, earlier than choosing up a shot on the par-four fifteenth to briefly transfer into the outright lead.
“I got off to a pretty fast start,” Hull stated. “Played pretty decently, hit it pretty decently. Just didn’t make any birdies on the back nine, but I played pretty solid. Hopefully we can go low over the next few days.”
The Englishwoman completed her bogey-free spherical with 11 straight pars and was rapidly overtaken by Wannasaen, who adopted a front-nine 33 by making an eagle on the par-four tenth.
The Thai performed birdied the following and completed with three extra over her remaining 4 holes, along with her rating three photographs higher than the remainder of the morning starters.
Korda briefly threatened a push for the lead with 5 birdies in a seven-hole stretch, ultimately ending on 5 underneath, whereas Woad’s eventful spherical included an eagle, 4 birdies and two bogeys.
“[The round had] kind of everything,” Korda stated. “Made a couple putts here and there. Overall, everything was flowing and the weather was great. There was really no wind. With the saturated conditions, a little softer, you could be a little bit more aggressive.”
Who will win the Kroger Queen Metropolis Championship? Dwell protection continues Friday from 9pm on Sky Sports activities Golf. Not bought Sky? Get Sky Sports activities or stream with no contract on NOW.