Yun-seo Makes Outstanding Early Impression

Lytham, England: Having wiped the sleep from her eyes, Yang Yun-seo produced an eye-catching opening round at the 50th AIG Women’s Open.

In order to prepare for her 7.36 am tee-time, the Korean had a 4 am alarm call. She arrived at Royal Lytham & St Annes at 5.10 am and wasted no time working through her usual pre-round routine. 

Wide awake, she proceeded to hit a sweetly-struck six-iron tee shot at the 165-yard par-three opening hole to within nine feet and holed the putt for a nerve-settling birdie-two.

That strong start set the tone for a solid round of one-under-par 70 that left her well-placed not only to make the half-way cut but also to challenge for the Smyth Salver, awarded to the low amateur.

“After the practice rounds I didn’t think that I’d be able to play under par on this course, so I’m happy,” said the 18-year-old winner of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) in New Zealand in February.

By dint of that triumph, Yang earned starting places at three LPGA Majors. Having made the cut at both the Chevron Championship and the Amundi Evian Championship, she set out this week with the aim of completing a notable hat-trick.

Now that feat is looking a distinct possibility. At the time she finished her round, Yang was in a share of sixth place, four strokes off the blistering early pace being set by her compatriot Ryu Hae-ran, who is chasing a third successive Major victory.

In the amateur standings, Yang was three shots in front of Colombian Maria Jose Marin, winner of this year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and six ahead of American Kiara Romero, number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

In addition to her first-hole birdie, Yang, 15th in the WAGR, picked up shots at the eighth and 16th. Her only bogeys came at the par-five 11th and par-four 15th where her drive found a fairway bunker from where she had to chip out sideways. Her third shot caught a greenside bunker but she splashed out to two feet and made the putt for a bogey.

Pars at 17 and 18 ensured she finished in red figures, ahead of her playing partners with American Alison Lee carding a 72 and Korean Ina Yoon signing for a 74.