Yoo Haeran Cards Five Birdies, No Bogeys... "Targets Third LPGA Tour Win"

Tied for third, one stroke back after Round 1 at the BMW Ladies Championship

Yoshida and Davidson share the lead

Kim Hyojoo, Yang Heeyoung and Kim Minsun tied for eighth after opening round

World No. 3 Yoo Hae-ran came out swinging on the opening day.

Yoo carded five birdies and no bogeys for a 5-under 67 in the first round of the LPGA Tour's BMW Ladies Championship, which carries a total purse of $2.35 million, at Pine Beach Golf Links (par 72) in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, on October 22. She was tied for third, one stroke behind co-leaders Karis Davidson of Australia and Yuri Yoshida of Japan, who each shot a 6-under 66.

Yoo Haeran tees off on the second hole during the first round of the BMW Ladies Championship. Provided by the BMW Ladies Championship Organizing Committee.

Yoo has won twice at major tournaments this year. With a season scoring average of 69.54, she ranks second behind Nelly Korda of the United States. Korda has effectively been eliminated from contention for the Vare Trophy, awarded to the player with the lowest scoring average, because she has not met the minimum number of rounds required.

In an interview after her round, Yoo said, "I was quite worried about the course for this tournament, too, but I practiced a lot yesterday and adapted easily." She added, "I really want to win the Vare Trophy, but now I'm going to leave it up to fate and just enjoy playing."

Kim Hyo-joo and Yang Hee-young made solid starts, tying for eighth at 3-under 69. Kim Min-sun, who has won twice on the KLPGA Tour this season, joined the group tied for eighth alongside Kim Min-ju. Kim Min-sol, Yoo Hyeon-jo, Park Min-ji and Jeon Ji-won finished the first round tied for 18th at 2-under 70.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.