Charley Hull held a share of the lead heading into the week last week at the RACV Ladies Masters, and she’s carried that momentum into this week. Although she had a four putt and a three putt, Hull left the scorer’s tent pretty pleased with a first round 2-under-par 71.
“I’m happy. I had a four putt and a three putt, so I got frustrated in that sense, and I thought I had my putt on the last, but yeah, I’m quite happy with the way it’s going,” Hull said.
Lydia Ko talked in her press conference about how running birdie putts at the hole was like playing with fire, and Hull got her shake Thursday on her four putt.
“It was like 25-30 feet, and I just raced it past. And it was just a crazy slope coming down again, like five or six feet, and had a bit of a blip on that hole,” Hull said.
Despite the slip-up on the green, the 18-year-old is feeling pretty good about a tie for second last week and the start to this week, especially considering the circumstances.
“I had a good steady round. I just changed my swing coach six weeks ago, and I’ve been working with a new coach. So I didn’t expect to be playing as well as I am this quickly,” Hull said. “So, yeah, I’m looking forward to the season.”
NUMBERS TO KNOW FROM THE FIRST ROUND:
1 – Ilhee Lee has held the lead or co-lead only once previously after round one. That lead was at the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia, which she finished in a tie for third. Ilhee has one career win – the 2013 Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA.
17 – Ilhee Lee hit the most greens in the field Thursday
32 – Lydia Ko needed 32 putts Thursday, well up from her 27.25 putts per round entering this tournament
