Ayako Uehara fired a 7-under-par 65 to seize the first-round lead on the AmazingCre Portland Classic on Thursday in Portland, Ore.
Uehara rolled in eight birdies and recorded only one bogey at Columbia Edgewater Country Club to take a one-shot lead over Australia’s Hannah Green, who shot a 6-under66.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda opened with a 5-under 67 to hitch a tie for third with Caroline Inglis and Japan’s Ayaka Furue and Hinako Shibuno.
Uehara each began and completed her spherical strongly. She made 5 birdies on the entrance 9 and three extra over her ultimate 4 holes, together with Nos. 17 and 18.
The 38-year-old has received thrice in Japan however is in search of her first LPGA Tour victory. She stated being out entrance will not have an effect on how she approaches the second spherical.
“I don’t think so,” Uehara stated. “I will do just my game and then focus one at a time.”
Green, a significant winner and the 2019 Portland champion, sandwiched eight birdies between her two bogeys on the third and 18th holes. She birdied three of the 4 par-5 holes on the course and each par-3s on the again 9.
“Unfortunately made a bogey on the last, but don’t want to dwell on that,” Green stated. “I assume I did not hit an important shot, however I additionally bought unfortunate the place I completed up.
“Only missed two greens today, so I can’t be too down on myself. Yeah, just keep giving myself opportunities, and, yeah, hopefully continue to hole those putts.”
Ranked No. 17 on the earth, Green is in search of her first victory for the reason that 2019 win in Portland. Green completed second in April on the DIO Implant LA Open and shot a 9-under 62 within the second spherical of the Dana Open earlier this month earlier than ending tenth.
After lacking 4 months of the season with a blood clot, Korda is trying to find her first victory of the 12 months. She tied for second twice, together with in her final begin, the CP Women’s Open.
Korda had a colourful card, following a double-bogey 6 on the sixth gap with an eagle 3 on the seventh. She additionally made seven birdies and two bogeys.
“Mainly my missed drives,” Korda stated of her difficulties on the day. “It’s so tree-lined here. It’s such a beautiful golf course. So many big, tall trees. But they’re very thick and they’re very high. … So when you miss a fairway it’s hard to get through the trees.”
Evian Championship winner Brooke Henderson of Canada opened with a 4-under 68. She was tied for seventh with countrywoman Alena Sharp, Lilia Vu, Anne van Dam of the Netherlands, Jenny Shin of South Korea and Tiffany Chan of Hong Kong.
Defending champion Jin Young Ko of South Korea, the No. 1 participant on the earth, withdrew from the occasion earlier this week to relaxation a wrist damage.
–Field Level Media