Round 1 of LPGA Thailand - Jin Joo Hong takes Lead

Jin Joo Hong of South Korea emerged as the surprise first-round leader Thursday after shooting a 6-under 66 at the $1.45 million LPGA Thailand. The Korean made an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys to open up a two-shot lead over Sweden';s Helen Alfredsson and a quartet of Americans - World Number 3 Paula Creamer, Angela Stanford, Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lang.



1st Round Leaderboard as Follows (Par 72, 6477 yards) :-

1. Jin Joo Hong 66
2. Kristy McPherson 68
2. Angela Stanford 68
2. Paula Creamer 68
2. Helen Alfredsson 68
2. Brittany Lang 68
7. Nicole Castrale 69
8. Sophie Gustafson 70
8. Hee-Won Han 70
8. Yani Tseng 70
8. Morgan Pressel 70
12. Juli Inkster 71
12. In-Kyung Kim 71
12. Mi Hyun Kim 71
12. Leta Lindley 71
12. Young Kim 71
12. Natalie Gulbis 71
12. Lorena Ochoa 71
12. Karrie Webb 71
12. Ai Miyazato 71
21. Christina Kim 72
21. Karen Stupples (Eng) 72
21. Teresa Lu 72
21. Jane Park 72
21. Seon Hwa Lee 72
26. Minea Blomqvist 73
26. Mika Miyazato 73
26. Inbee Park 73
26. Se Ri Pak 73
26. Candie Kung 73
26. Na Yeon Choi 73
26. Eun-Hee Ji 73
26. Jee Young Lee 73
26. Ashleigh Simon 73
26. Allison Fouch 73
26. Katherine Hull 73
26. Laura Diaz 73
26. a-Moriya Jutanugarn 73
39. Giulia Sergas 74
39. Cristie Kerr 74
39. Ji Young Oh 74
39. Sun Young Yoo 74
39. Lindsey Wright 74
39. Meena Lee 74
39. Melissa Reid (Eng) 74
39. a-Thidapa Suwannapura 74
47. Louise Friberg 75
47. Shiho Oyama 75
47. Stacy Prammanasudh 75
47. Jiyai Shin 75


Source : USA Today

Will Michelle Wie win in 2009?

The LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) begins play this week at the SBS Open in Hawaii, and as with so many other pro sports, the year begins with a host of unforeseen and unexpected questions. The 2009 LPGA Tour rookie class is comprised of 21 'rookies,' who have some very veteran experience, including Jiyai Shin, of Korea, who won three LPGA Tour events in 2008 - the most ever by a non-member, as well as Michelle Wie, of Hawaii, who has 48 LPGA Tour starts under her belt since 2002, and Kim Welch, who won the Golf Channel's Big Break: Ka'anapali. Respectively, Jessica Shepley, of Canada, and Nontaya Srisawang, of Thailand, are among their countries' strongest competitors. Representing six countries outside the United States with 15 international members and six members hailing from five U.S. states, the class is as diverse as they are talented. Will Michelle Wie win this year?