HAINAN ISLAND, China – South Korea’s Sei Young Kim took advantage of Chinese teen Lin Xi-yu’s wind-blown collapse to take the lead Friday in the Blue Bay LPGA.
Kim made a 3-foot birdie putt on the par-5 18th for an even-par 72 in difficult conditions along the South China Sea at Jian Lake Blue Bay.
The 22-year-old Kim had a 2-under 142 total. She won playoffs this year in the Bahamas and Hawaii in events also played in strong wind on tropical seaside layouts.
“I like the windy weather because I’m using a lot of skills and low cut shots,” Kim said.
The 19-year-old Lin opened with a 67 to take the first-round lead and was 7 under and five strokes ahead after five holes. With her family watching in the tour’s only event in China this year, she bogeyed eight of the last 13 holes for a 77 that left her two strokes behind.
She was one of many to struggle on a day when only five off the 78 players broke par and the scoring average soared to 75.464.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko was tied for 47th at 8 over after a 75. She opened with a 77, her highest score since a career-worst 80 in high wind last year at Royal Birkdale in the Women’s British Open.
Ko won the LPGA Taiwan by nine strokes Sunday to regain the No. 1 spot from Inbee Park. The 18-year-old New Zealander has a tour-high five victories, winning three of her last five starts.
The second-ranked Park withdrew because of pain in her left middle finger after a first-round 75. The South Korean player has four victories this year, winning two of the five majors.
Norway’s Suzann Pettersen had the best round of the day, a 3-under 69 to jump from a tie for 22nd to a tie for second at 1 under with Taiwan’s Candie Kung and Americans Ryann O’Toole and Austin Ernst.
Third-ranked Stacy Lewis of the United States had a 73 to join opening-round leader Xi Yu Lin of China, Canada’s Alena Sharp (70), Australia’s Minjee Lee (70) and Americans Kim Kaufman (72) and Jane Park (74) at even par.
China’s Shanshan Feng was 4 over after a 75. She has four career LPGA Tour victories.
Michelle Wie also was 4 over after a 72.