Ariya Jutanugarn (click to enlarge)
After winning the 2016 Ricoh Women’s British Open two weeks ago, it seems like 4-time LPGA winner Ariya Jutanugarn hasn’t missed a beat. On day 1 of women’s golf at the 2016 Rio Olympics, the 20-year old Thai star finished her round with a 1-shot lead heading into Thursday. Her improved toughness in the face of adversity was on display early when she doubled bogeyed the par 3 4th hole only to immediately respond with an eagle on the par 5 5th hole. May carded 7 birdies, 1 eagle, 2 bogeys and 1 double bogey for a 6-under 65 (par is 71 here). Right on May’s heels are the South Korean pair of Sei-Young Kim and Inbee Park (looking great in her competitive return) at 5-under. There are a lot of players bunched together following the 3 leaders. On a course where all the top players can collect birdies, it’s unlikely anyone will run away from the field the first 3 rounds. That said, as a fan it’s wonderful to see Jutanugarn atop the leaderboard after 18 holes. I hope she is still there after 72 holes.
ALL PICS CLICK TO ENLARGE
1 ARIYA JUTANUGARN, Thailand (-6)
T2 INBEE PARK, South Korea (-5)
T2 SEI-YOUNG KIM, South Korea (-5)
T4 NICOLE BROCH LARSEN, Denmark (-4)
T4 CANDIE KUNG, Taiwan (-4)
T4 CARLOTA CIGANDA, Spain (-4)
T7 LEXI THOMPSON, United States (-3)
T7 AZAHARA MUNOZ, Spain (-3)
T7 CHARLEY HULL, Great Britain (-3)
T7 ADITI ASHOK, India (-3)
with Maria Verchenova
T11 GERINA PILLER, United States (-2)
T11 MINJEE LEE, Australia (-2)
T11 LYDIA KO, New Zealand (-2)
T19 SHIHO OYAMA, Japan (-1)
T19 IN-GEE CHUN, South Korea (-1)
T19 BROOKE HENDERSON, Canada (-1)
LEADERBOARD
Ariya Jutanugarn
Fairways and Forehands 