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Aussie golfers make strong start to Tour Championship

By AAP Newswire

Nov 22, 2024

Minjee Lee is hoping to finish the year on a high at the season-ending Tour Championship. -AP

South Korean Narin An set a hot pace as all four Australian hopefuls made promising starts to the LPGA's rich and prestigious season-ending Tour Championship in Florida.

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Minjee Lee and Grace Kim both fired four-under-par 68s to trail An by four shots after the opening round as the world's premiers golfers hunt a record $US4 million ($A6.18 million) winner's pay day in Naples.

Lee and Kim are tied for 11th in the elite 60-player field, with Gabriela Ruffels and world No.5 Hannah Green a further shot back at three under and equal 17th.

Trying to end an uncharacteristically winless season in style, Lee went bogey-free around the majestic Tiburon Golf Club on Thursday.

But so too did An, who accrued eight birdies to grab a one-shot lead over American Angel Yin.

Fellow Americans Marina Alex and 2023 Women's US Open champion Allisen Corpuz share third after starting with six-under 66s.

New Zealand's Olympic champion and former world No.1 Lydia Ko, who, like Green, has enjoyed a three-win 2025, is lurking ominously in a six-way tie for fifth at five under, three shots off the pace.

But world No.1 Nelly Korda has much ground to make up if she's to crown her seven-title year in typically glorious fashion after opening with an even-par 72 to be languishing in joint 44th spot.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press