Ryu So-yeon takes solo lead in 1st round of Swinging Skirts Classic

Ryu So-yeon takes solo lead in 1st round of Swinging Skirts Classic. April. 23, 2016 07:22. by 김종석기자 kjs0123@donga.com.

Ryu So-yeon (26) ranked 11th last week in the world rankings of female professional golfers. It was the first time that she was not on the top 10 list in this category since 2012 when she was a rookie player on the LPGA Tour. She was in a deep slump until last week, as evidenced by the fact her best showing had been tying for 10th in the LPGA Tour for this season.

Ryu, who was backtracking this year, has displayed impressive play on Thursday by posting 9-under 63, to herald her triumphant return. In the first round of the Swinging Skirts Classic at Lake Merced Golf Club (par 72) near San Francisco, California, Ryu had as many as nine birdies without bogey, to emerge as the solo lead. Ryu, who is two strokes ahead of Japan's Nomura Haru, has a high hope to secure a title for the first time in 20 months since the Canadian Pacific Women’s Open in September 2014.

Prior to the opening of this season, Ryu received training from Cameron McCormick, the incumbent coach for Jordan Spieth. She has also strengthened physical stamina through weight training and flexibility through Pilates in a desperate bid to overcome the slump during this season. She posted green-in regulation as high as 94.4 percent, and had only 27 putts on the day.

Lydia Ko, who is eyeing three consecutive wins in the tournament, posted 4-under 68, to tie for sixth with Choi Na-yeon. Jang Ha-na, who is suffering from insomnia and anemia due to stress, called quit after finishing Hole 11.