Mi Hyang Lee Leads Meijer LPGA Classic with Impressive Opening Round
BELMONT, Mich. – South Korean golfer Mi Hyang Lee put on an exceptional golf display, achieving an impressive performance at the Meijer LPGA Classic. Lee completed a six-hole stretch with six under par, finishing the first round with a score of 64 strokes, eight under par. Grace Kim, from Australia, was one stroke away, seeking redemption after losing in a playoff the previous year. Lexi Thompson, champion in 2015, also participated in this tournament. Karis Davidson, also from Australia, Akie Iwai from Japan, and Sofia Garcia from Paraguay, were two strokes behind the leader, with 66 strokes. This event represents the last chance before the prestigious KPMG Women’s PGA Championship next week in Texas.Of the top ten female golfers in the world, only three are competing at Blythefield Country Club, with Haeran Ryu, ranked number 5, being the highest-ranked player. Ryu signed a scorecard of 69 strokes in the afternoon.
Lee, playing in the morning in a field bordered by trees, got birdies on holes 5 to 8, made par on the 9th and an eagle on the 10th, surprising herself by reaching the green in two strokes on the par 5.The 32-year-old golfer finished her round bogey-free with birdies on holes 14 and 17. The last of her two LPGA Tour victories was in 2017.“I didn’t expect to reach the green on my second shot,” Lee commented. “But it was a great trajectory and a good shot with the 3-wood, and I made it to the green. It was an eagle putt of almost 24 feet, from right to left. I didn’t expect to make it.”
Mi Hyang Lee
Kim achieved an eagle on the 10th hole and a birdie on the 11th in her morning round.“I only missed two fairways,” Lee said. “I think that helps a lot in hitting a lot of greens as well.”
Mi Hyang Lee
Kim won the LOTTE Championship in 2023, her only tour title to date. Akie Iwai, 22, made five birdies in a seven-hole stretch from the eighth to the 14th and recovered from a bogey on the 17th with a birdie on the 18th. Her twin sister, Chisato, won in Mexico in May, obtaining her first title on the LPGA Tour. Chisato Iwai started with 73 strokes. Minjee Lee shot a 67, as did Caley McGinty, Ruixin Liu, Andrea Lee, Gabriela Ruffels, and Jiwon Jeon. Andrea Lee was the only American player in the top 11. Thompson finished with 68 strokes, while Vu with 77.“It was a good start on the nine second holes today,” Kim said. “I just saved pars at the beginning and then relaxed as we went on. That was pretty nice.”
Grace Kim
