Asian Duo Set Early Pace at US Women’s Open

Pebble Beach, California, United States: Former Queen Sirikit Cup adversaries Lin Xiyu and Kim Hyo-joo shared the opening-day lead at the 78th US Women’s Open Championship at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

For the first female Major championship ever being contested on this iconic layout players were greeted with some traditional chilly and misty Monterey Peninsula weather. And the course more than lived up to the billing.

“I think it’s absolutely right,” said China’s Lin, whose four-under 68 shared the top spot on the leaderboard with 2018 runner-up Kim Korea.

Lin added: “It’s been amazing this couple of days to play here, walk in the town, I love this town. I love Monterrey, the [Carmel] Valley. Everything is so nice here, so chill. Just think we're part of the history. I kind of told myself no matter what, this is going to be a memorable week.”

Lin and Kim both participated in the Queen Sirikit Cup in 2011 at India’s Delhi Golf Club, While Kim helped her country to victory in the Asia-Pacific Ladies Invitational Team Championship, Lin led China to a third-place finish.

Heading into the second round at Pebble Beach, Kim, who won the 2014 Amundi Evian Championship for her lone Major title, and Lin own a one-stroke lead over two-time LPGA Tour winner Leona Maguire, Ryu Hae-ran, 2021 runner-up Nasa Hataoka, 2016 USA Curtis Cup competitor Bailey Tardy, and amateur Aine Donegan.

Two strokes back were 2019 champion Jeongeun Lee 6, two-time runner-up Amy Yang, and collegian stars Benedetta Moresco (Alabama), of Italy, and 2022 USA Curtis Cup star Amari Avery (University of Southern California), while Major champions Brooke Henderson, Patty Tavatanakit and Yin Ruoning were among eight players to post one-under 71.

Among those on 72 are defending champion Minjee Lee and Yuka Saso – one shot in front of Chinese Taipei amateur Tiffany Huang Ting-hsuan, the 2022 Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) winner.

Australian Maddison Hinson-Tolchard, who along with Huang will represent the Asia-Pacific in next month’s Patsy Hankins Trophy match play event against Europe in Spain, carded a 78.

Meanwhile, Thai Natthakritta Vongtaveelap, a two-time WAAP runner-up, was disqualified after five hole. During the first round, on multiple occasions, Natthakritta’s caddie used a distance measuring device, which is not allowed in the US Women’s Open. The first breach is a general penalty, and the second breach resulted in disqualification.

While DMDs are allowed in USGA amateur competitions, they are not permitted in USGA Open championships.