Ahn shines in Jeju, South Korea

11/14/2008

South Korea’s Sun Ju Ahn fired seven birdies for a course record 65 and the first round lead at the Saint Four Ladies Masters in Jeju on Friday.

The 21-year-old hit 18 greens in regulation with superbly judged approach shots and took a three stroke lead at the luxury Saint Four Golf and Resort in Jeju, South Korea.

European No 1 Gwladys Nocera of France, a five-time winner in 2008, shared second with local player Chae A Oh on four-under 68. Italy’s Veronica Zorzi was a shot further back on 69 with the South Korean quartet of Soo Young Moon, So Yeon Ryu, Ju Mi Kim and Hee Kyung Seo.

Ahn, ranked 62nd in the world, is one of 65 players from the Korean Ladies Professional Golf Association (KLPGA) in the tournament, which is co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour (LET).

Scotland’s Clare Queen, Finn Ursula Wikstrom and Italian Margherita Rigon were in a group of players sharing ninth spot on 70.

Australian Anna Rawson, who is the poster girl for the tournament, shot 71 and shared 18th place with a large group including England’s Johanna Head, Dutch rookie Marjet van der Graff and three-time LET winner Amy Yang from South Korea.

Nocera, who is poised to win the LET’s official New Star Money List next month, shot six birdies and two bogeys, but was unable to talk due to a persistent nose bleed. Meanwhile Slovakia’s Zuzana Kamasova retired with a shoulder injury.

Leaderboard – Round 1:

1. Sun Ju Ahn                        KOR  65 - 7
2. Chae A Oh                         KOR  68 - 4
    Gwladys Nocera                  FRA  68 - 4
4. Soo Young Moon                KOR  69 - 3
    Veronica Zorzi                     ITA  69 - 3
    So Yeon Ryu                      KOR  69 - 3
    Ju Mi Kim                          KOR  69 - 3
    Hee Kyung Seo                  KOR  69 - 3
9. Jeong Eun V Lee                 KOR  70 - 2
    Bo Mi Kim                          KOR  70 - 2
    Clare Queen                      SCO  70 - 2
    Margherita Rigon                 ITA  70 - 2
    Ursula Wikstrom                  FIN  70 - 2
    Chae Young Yoon               KOR  70 - 2
    Hye In Lee                         KOR  70 - 2
    An-Na Oh                           KOR  70 - 2
    Soo-Yun Kang                     KOR  70 - 2

Source: Ladies European Tour