Korean Kim leads field with Sorenstam close behind

BY iseekgolf.com | 09 Nov 2002

Mi Hyun Kim fired six straight birdies to close the first round of the Mizuno Classic with a superb -7 (65). Grace Park and Gloria Park also of Korea, plus Japan’s Chieko Amanuma sit in equal second place after each carding a -6 (66).

Australian Rachel Teske heads the small Australian attack after carding a round of -4 (68) to close the first round in a group of eight players, which also includes Korean star, Se Ri Pak. Michelle Ellis closed with a -2 (70) and in equal 28th while Wendy Doolan began somewhat disappointingly with a 74 to end the day in equal 68th.

Defending champion and world number one, Annika Sorenstam began her fourth attempt to take out her 10th win of the season with a -3 (69). Sorenstam is only one win away from becoming the first player in over three decades to claim 10 LPGA Tour titles in one season. She won her ninth title of the year five weeks ago at the [url=www.iseekgolf.com/tour_articles.php/756/4/0/0/45/0/1/]Samsung World Championship*, but she has unable to secure a win in the last three tournaments.

Although this is the second last event on the 2002 LPGA schedule, it is the last tournament where players can earn enough money in to move into the top 30 in earnings, which gives an automatic start in the season-ending ADT Championship.

Round One – Australasian Scores
T8 -4 Rachel Teske (68)
T28 -2 Michelle Ellis (70)
T68 2 Wendy Doolan (74)

2002 Moneylist – Top 10 & Australasians
1 Annika Sorenstam $2,467,404.00
2 Se Ri Pak $1,600,518.00
3 Juli Inkster $1,140,349.00
4 Mi Hyun Kim $1,015,534.00
5 Karrie Webb $900,760.00
6 Laura Diaz $809,790.00
7 Carin Koch $665,170.00
8 Cristie Kerr $645,643.00
9 Rachel Teske $625,124.00
10 Rosie Jones $602,482.00

25 Michelle Ellis $353,515.00
26 Shani Waugh $346,268.00
40 Wendy Doolan $244,990.00
72 JoAnne Mills $117,749.00
78 Jane Crafter $104,458.00
86 Fiona Pike $84,710.00
117 Karen Pearce $45,548.00
136 Jan Stephenson $26,482.00
159 Tamie Durdin $13,174.00
160 Mardi Lunn $13,089.00
187 Carmen Hajjar $5,913.00