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Stacy Lewis and South Korea’s Hur Mi-Jung share the lead after shooting bogey-free eight-under 64s on Thursday during the opening round of the LPGA Tour’s Yokohama Tire Classic. |
American Lewis won this title the last time the tournament was held in 2012. That was one of her 11 USLPGA Tour titles. “It’s a course I’ve liked from the get-go that you can be fairly aggressive on,” Lewis said of the Capitol Hill Golf Club course.
“Especially this year with it a little bit softer you can be aggressive, but you have to hit it to the right sections of the greens.”
South Africa’s Paula Reto is alone in third place as she posted a seven-under 65. Karin Sjodin, Ayako Uehara and Cydney Clanton share fourth place at six-under, while Christina Kim, Kris Tamulis, Yoo Sun-Young, Beatriz Recari and Lee Il-Hee are tied for seventh at five-under 67. Recari shared sixth place at this tournament two years ago.
Lewis parred the par-four 15th, but followed with three straight birdies to close out her bogey-free round. Hur is seeking her second win on the USLPGA Tour. She capped her bogey-free first round with a par on her final hole of the day.
R&A decision to admit women applauded
LPGA Tour players cheered the Royal and Ancient Golf Club’s decision to finally admit female members on Thursday, calling it a historic decision and a step in the right direction.
“It’s great obviously,” said Canadian veteran golfer Lorie Kane. “I guess a long time coming. “There are businesswomen who are capable that want to be a member of Augusta. Now we can get the R&A to maybe sit down at the table with us as equals.”
Scotland’s R&A Golf Club of St. Andrews on Thursday voted to allow women members for the first time in its 260-year history. The vote passed by a margin of 85 percent in favour to 15 percent against. The Ladies Professional Golf Association also welcomed the move.
“The LPGA is happy to hear that the members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews have voted to include female members,” said spokesperson Kelly Thesier.
“This decision is certainly a step in the right direction and one that better captures the current diversity and inclusiveness of our great game.”
The move comes two years after Augusta National admitted its first two female members. “I am thrilled the R&A has voted overwhelmingly to allow female members,” said 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam. “This is a great day for golf and a historic one for women in golf.”
The PGA of America president Ted Bishop said the move would help grow the game internationally. “Women have played and will continue to play an integral role in the game of golf. In fact, women represent the biggest growth market in the sport, and every step to make golf more inclusive is good for the game,” Bishop said in a statement.
