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Hyo Joo Kim falters after hot start at Women’s British Open, Pettersen leads

July 31, 2015

Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea plays her second shot on the 13th during the second day of the Women’s British Open golf championship on the Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Friday, July 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

By Brian Han

Friday’s strong winds proved to be too much for many players at the Women’s British Open in Turnberry, Scotland.

South Korean rookie Hyo Joo Kim was no exception, which was a surprise after she led the field after her brilliant opening round 7-under 65. Controlling her tee shots wasn’t much of a problem, but when it came to delicate approach shots she began to falter.

Kim shot five bogeys and double in her final eight holes resulting in 6-over 78 to put her in a tie for tenth at 1-under.

World No. 2 Lydia Ko said it best when she was asked about the conditions after her round in which she shot a respectable 1-over 73 putting her in a tie for second.

“It was like playing a different course today” she said. “I tried to keep my ball as low as possible so that the wind wouldn’t (affect it) as much, but it still was affected. ”

Norway’s Suzann Pettersen shot one of the best rounds of the day with a 3-under 69 and she seems to be bristling with confidence especially since she just switched to a new swing coach in Butch Harmon.

“I always felt like I had a different gear in my body,” she said. “I’ve said it many times, I feel some of my best golf is still ahead of me. To get there, I feel like going to Butch was the right thing. One, from technical standpoint, simplify everything. Ease up the kind of pressure on my body.”

Pettersen played early on in the day, which allowed her to avoid some of the harsher winds. She took full advantage of that and made three birdies on the front nine.

South Koreans So Yeon Ryu and Jin Young Ko held their composure throughout their round and are also tied for second after rounds of even-par 72 and 1-under 71, respectively.

World No. 5 Ryu managed to make four birdies, but also made four bogeys stemming from missed greens.

Ko on the other hand is probably a name most won’t recognize. The 20-year-old is still playing full time on the Korean LPGA Tour, but qualified for the major tournament after making some noise on the KLPGA.

She has already won three events in South Korea during the 2015 season.