Golf round-up: Schmelzel grabs early HSBC Women’s lead, Hend rolls back years in New Zealand, Kim ‘on a mission’ with LIV
- Two birdies in closing holes give Sarah Schmelzel narrow lead at HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore
- Scott Hend makes early running at New Zealand Open, while Anthony Kim confirms return to professional golf after more than a decade
Sarah Schmelzel birdied two of her final three holes on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.
The America’s four-under-par 68 left her just ahead of a three-way tie for second, between Lilia Vu, Linn Grant and Esther Henseleit.
China’s Yin Ruoning carded a 71 to sit among a large group tied for 10th at Sentosa Golf Club, as did two-time defending champion Ko Jin-young.
Schmelzel overcame a shaky start in windy conditions, and got up and down several times to save par on the front nine. The 29-year-old then got some putts to drop after the turn and said “everything felt good” from then on.
“I just kept telling myself [that she could make birdies] and tried to stay patient,” Schmelzel said. “Fortunately I was able to roll in on one when I made the turn and that just opened the floodgates a little bit.”
Vu, the world No 1, was surprised to find herself so high up the leaderboard, saying she “always expects at least six-under to be the leader”.
