“When I think about my game and myself as a golfer from last year, I think I opened last year’s tournament with a 78, and I mean it obviously feels great to get a good score,” said Kim, playing in her second HSBC. “But I feel like I can handle things a lot better, and I’ve also been talking to my mental coach… one of the things we talked about last week was trying to win every day, win every shot, and I feel like I did a really good job.”
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China’s Yan Liu is one shot behind after a 67, while five players are two behind at 4 under, including major champion Miyu Yamashita.
Yamashita, making his debut in this event, shot a bogey-free 68. The petite Japanese player won the AIG Women’s British Open last year along with the Maybank Championships in Malaysia. Yamashita, a 13-time winner on the JLPGA, took LPGA Rookie of the Year honors last season with 12 top-10s in 25 starts.“So last year I played in almost every tournament,” Yamashita said after the round, “but this year I’m managing my schedule with more rest and adjustments, and I feel like I’m coming in in good condition. And also every tournament I play, I’m doing the best I can with the goal of winning. I want to keep improving my skills and take it to the next level.”
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Rookie Mimi Rhodes, playing at a sponsor’s invitation, also shot 68 along with fellow Solheim Cup contender Lindy Duncan, Haeran Ryu and Linn Grant.
Defending champion Lydia Ko opened with a 70, while No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, fresh off a win in Thailand, shot 73. Charley Hull, now world No. 3, shot 72.
Nine of the world’s top 10 players compete in Singapore, but only Yamashita managed to break into the top 10 after the first round.
This article originally appeared in Golfweek: American Auston Kim wins the day at the ‘Asian Major’ with an opening 66