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Rookie Hyo Joo Kim shoots 7-under 65, leads Women’s British Open

July 30, 2015

By Brian Han

South Korean rookie Hyo Joo Kim is looking to add a second major title to her trophy collection and she’s off to a promising start at the Women’s British Open in Turnberry, Scotland.

Kim fired off a bogey-free 7-under 65 on Thursday in a round that included five birdies and an eagle.

Hyo Joo Kim (AP)

Hyo Joo Kim (AP)

Considering she had come off of the U.S. Women’s Open missing the cut earlier in the month, this is proof that she’s able to rebound quickly and compartmentalize a less-than-stellar performance.

The 20-year-old was an archer off the tee hitting 12 of 14 fairways, but even more so with her approach shots resulting in 17 of 18 greens in regulation.

World No. 2 Lydia Ko and Cristie Kerr, both of whom have won events in 2015, are a stroke behind Kim after they both shot an opening round 6-under 66.

Ko has been returning to form the past few weeks after finishing third last week at the Marathon Classic. She is looking for her first major win.

Surprisingly, Ko is averaging 220 yards off the tee, 30 yards less than her season average. If that’s part of her strategy, it’s hard to argue with her results.

At 6,410 yards, the Trump Turnberry Resort golf course is about the average length for an LPGA Tour course.

Other notables include Q Baek and So Yeon Ryu who are both tied for fourth after carding a 5-under 67.