06/04/26 09:47:00
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06/04 21:43 CDT Jennifer Kupcho grabs early lead in US Women's Open with a
confident 66 at Riviera
Jennifer Kupcho grabs early lead in US Women's Open with a confident 66 at
Riviera
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- Jennifer Kupcho made seven birdies on an unforgiving
Riviera for a 5-under 66 and a one-shot lead over Sei Young Kim in the opening
round of the 81st U.S. Women's Open on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Kupcho has four career LPGA Tour wins, but just one since 2022,
when she earned her only major victory in The Chevron Championship at Mission
Hills. She missed the cuts of her three previous U.S. Open starts, but charged
ahead at Riviera with three straight birdies in her afternoon group before
adding back-to-back birdies after the turn.
"I just really, really like the golf course," Kupcho said. "It's kind of a
ball-striker's paradise. Just hit it down the fairway, hit it on the green and
make the putts."
Play began under a heavy cloud cover at the 100-year-old country club in
Pacific Palisades just two miles from the ocean, but the sun broke through
around lunchtime as wind picked up. The conditions weren't oppressive at any
point, but the players realized Riviera's setup presents a formidable challenge
in any weather, and the scores reflected it.
The entire field managed just one eagle in the first round --- Allisen Corpuz
holed out with a 6-iron from 86 yards on the 17th.
Mexico's Gaby Lopez and Japan's Hinako Shibuno joined South Korea's Hyunjo Yoo,
Ina Yoon and Minji Kang in the group at 68. Lopez made five birdies in her
first eight holes and was the only player to get to 6 under, but she fell back
with three bogeys.
Kupcho gained 4.27 strokes on her approach shots to lead the field in the first
round, highlighted by a gorgeous 133-yard shot inside a foot on the second
hole. She doesn't normally do extensive pre-tournament research on courses
despite the encouragement of her parents, but she came down to Riviera on a
scouting trip when the LPGA Tour stopped 13 miles away in Tarzana two months
ago.
"When I showed up this week, it was just like I knew where everything was,"
Kupcho said. "I knew what I was doing. So I think it actually helped. Parents
are always right, right?"
The 33-year-old Kim has played pretty well in sprawling Los Angeles this
season: At that JM Eagle LA Championship held at El Caballero in April, she led
after the second and third rounds --- leading by eight strokes at one point ---
before blowing a three-stroke lead over the final eight holes and losing a
playoff to Australia's Hannah Green.
"This course is really famous in the world, so I'm very happy to play here this
week," said Kim, who also got a head start on Riviera in practice last weekend.
"Also, the course is not easy. Every hole is putting me to the test."
Kim birdied her first two holes, but her round didn't pick up steam until the
final four holes, when she made three consecutive birdies --- including two
exceptional approach shots and a 29-foot birdie putt --- before drilling
another 29-foot par putt to end it.
World No. 1 Nelly Korda made a rough start at 2 over, struggling off the tee.
She also couldn't get used to a new pair of shoes sent to her this week Nike
and LeBron James, a Korda fan who is becoming an avid golfer himself.
Korda started the day in the new shoes, but changed playing the first six holes
--- although she said they didn't affect her play.
"It wasn't a great day," Korda said. "I hit it really good Monday through
Wednesday, so I have honestly no idea where this came from. So I'm going to go
to the range."
Aphrodite Deng, a 16-year-old amateur, was in contention for the lead before
playing two late holes at 3 over and carding a 70.
Deng was born in Canada to Chinese parents before growing up in New Jersey and
eventually settling in Florida. A competitive child figure skater for several
years before the COVID-19 pandemic, Deng took up golf only seven years ago, but
won the U.S. Girls' Junior last year.
___
AP golf: https://apnews.com/golf
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