After one round at the CME Group Tour Championship, 26-year-old Korean Somi Lee has a two-stroke lead at -8.
Lee, who won earlier this year in the Dow Championship alongside Jin Hee Im, is looking for her first individual win after a fantastic breakout season. Going out today with world No. 2 Nelly Korda, Lee stole the show.
Lee got started quick with a few early birdies on holes three and four, then finished the front nine out with two more on eight and nine to finish her front nine at -4. On the back, she added three more birdies on 11, 14 and 15 before an eagle on 17 gave her a commanding three stroke lead heading into the final hole.
On 18, her putter, which had been fantastic all day, let her down a bit, leading to the first bogey of the day. Still, she finished with her best-career round at 64.
Lee hit every fairway on the day and paired that with 16 greens in regulation. Up until the final three putt of the day, Lee’s putter was strong all day with only 27 strokes with the flat stick.
Chasing is defending champion Jeeno Thitikul at -5, who made one of the most miraculous pars of the season on 17 where she was plugged against the face of a bunker on her approach. She had to hit out sideways but still got an up-and-down that should lead to some momentum. Thitikul was sharp all day with her ball striking other than that shot, hitting 13 fairways and 16 greens.
The CME Group Tour Championship continues Friday.
