Japanese Duo Make Solid Starts at Champions Retreat

Augusta, Georgia, United States: Japanese duo Tsubasa Kajitani and Nanako Ueno defied difficult conditions to make a solid start at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.

When bad weather forced the suspension of play for the day, Kajitani was equal seventh on the leaderboard at even-par through 13 holes, while Ueno was tied for 15th at one-over through 17.

The Japanese duo are among 12 Asia-Pacific representatives in the elite 82-strong field for the second edition of the tournament that includes players from 25 countries.

The first two rounds are being held at Champions Retreat after which a cut will be made with the top 30 players advancing to Saturday’s final round at Augusta National. All participants played a practice round at Augusta National, the home of the Masters Tournament, last Friday.

Only six players finished the first day in red figures with American Katherine Smith leading on four-under-par having completed only 11 holes. She holds a three-stroke lead over Ana Peláez Triviño, Karen Fredgaard, Kiira Riihijarvi, Linn Grant and Rose Zhang, number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Of the Asia-Pacific contingent, world number five An Ho-yu of Chinese Taipei is tied for 15th on one-over through 17. China’s Ye Lei is on two-over through 15 and shares equal 24th spot.

Chinese Taipei’s Hou Yu-sang and Australian Grace Kim both completed their rounds in 75 and are joint 32nd alongside New Zealand’s Amelia Garvey (three-over after 15) and China’s Liu Siyan (thee-over after 14).

Chinese Taipei’s Hou Yu-chiang (77), Thais Jaravee Boonchant (79) and Pimnipa Panthong (eight-over through 15) and Malaysian Alyaa Abdulghany (83) all face a struggle to qualify for the final round.