LPGA KEB-HanaBank Championship opens in Incheon

With strong winds of 40 kmph, the temperature dropped sharply, making female golfers resort to thick down parkas. With the spiteful winds, the KEB-HanaBank Championship, the only LPGA tournament in Korea, opened at the par-72, 6,364-yard Ocean Course at the Sky72 Golf and Resort club in Incheon, Korea on Thursday.

Cinderella – In the first round, Kang Hye-ji was the surprise leader, shooting a 5-under 67, six birdies and one bogey. After her professional debut in the LPGA tour in 2009, Kang has never won an LPGA tournament. She attributed her results to solid putting and to the moral support of her parents and cousins.

New Bride – Park Inbee, who is competing three days after her wedding, shot a 1-under 71 with four birdies and three bogeys. Her start at joint 15th with Shanshan Feng, who attended at Park`s wedding, was not bad. "Fans’ cheering me by saying `go, new bride` is unfamiliar to me yet. Regardless of her marital status, all I had done was to work hard as an athlete," Park said. Paula Creamer, who is paired with Park, lost 9 shots and ended up at 78th, the bottom. Michelle Wie, who shot a 4-over 76, was also lackluster.

Formidable Teens Faceoff – Kim Hyo-ju, 19, Lydia Ko, 17, and Lee Min-ji, 18, squared off in the same group. Lee Min-ji pushed aside Kim and Ko, who have already won LPGA tournaments, to finish at joint second along with Amy Yang, Lee Il-hui, and Lee Mi-rim at a 3-under 69. Yang is the defending champion of the event. Kim shot an even-par 72 (joint 21st) while Lydia Ko posted a 1-over 73 (joint 28th).