Shin and Song lead at Commonwealth
BY Bruce Young | ALPG Tour | 2011 Women's Australian Open | Round One | 03 Feb 2011
An established star in women’s golf and a young woman who could well go on to become one, share the lead at the end of the opening round of the Handa Australian Women’s Open at the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne’s southern suburbs.
Jiyai Shin, the world number one and playing her first competitive golf in two months, took advantage of the perfect early morning conditions at one of Australia’s finest golfing layouts, recording six birdies in her round of 67 and it would take another 5½ hours before she would be joined in the opening round lead.
Jennifer Song would finish late in the day but she too accumulated six birdies and no bogies in her round and the former US Women’s Public Links Champion and US Curtis Cup player has served notice that she could well challenge Shin and others later in the week.
Song was actually born in Michigan but returned to Korea at a very young age. Holding US citizen ship allowed her to play for the US and immediately after doing so at the 2010 Curtis Cup she turned professional. She won twice on the Futures Tour in 2010, winning her very first event as a professional and later that year gained the right to play the LPGA Tour in 2011.
Shin has just returned from a few weeks in the USA in the Palm Springs region of California where she practiced and investigated real estate options. Three years ago she nearly won this title when still relatively unheralded but with the success he has had in the meantime she is the increasing favourite to secure her first Australian Women’s Open.
Shin drove the ball beautifully, hardly missing a fairway in the calm morning conditions. She will likely face a more difficult task tomorrow but, despite her lack of recent tournament play, she indicated her readiness for not only what lies ahead this week but for the remainder of 2011.
Ireland’s Rebecca Coakley, who was born in South Australia but who now has Irish citizenship, is just one shot back after a round of 68.
Canberra’s Nikki Campbell is in a group at 4 under including Anne Lisa Caudal, Eun Ji and former (2009)US Open winner Eun –Hee Ji.
The defending champion Yani Tseng dropped a shot at the final hole but was round in 70 to be just three behind the lead.
Last year’s runner-up Laura Davies had a solid enough opening round of 71.
