Pak Se Ri, the trailblazer of South Korean women’s golf, made an impressive start in her bid to win a sixth major title with an opening 66 in the Evian Masters on Friday.
Just a couple of weeks before her 36th birthday, Pak turned back the clock with six birdies in a five-under-par 66 to share second place with Germany’s Sandra Gal and Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, one behind Japan’s Mika Miyazato.
Miyazato, whose only win came in the 2012 LPGA Safeway Classic, had seven birdies.
“I played well and am very pleased,” said Miyazato.
Pettersen, this year’s Safeway Classic winner, should have joined her on 65 but missed a three-foot putt for par at the last.
A late finisher, the world No.3 had two bogeys, both three-putts.
“The one at the last just bounced off line,” she asserted. “I think the greens will definitely be better in the morning.”
Lydia Ko, the 16-year-old New Zealand amateur who retained the Canadian Open title last month, again showed her class among the professionals with a 68, but world No.1 Park Inbee, chasing a fourth major win of the year, struggled to a 74.
Park’s round included a penalty shot at the short second when she inadvertently moved her ball with her putter when facing a two-foot bogey putt.
Pak was just 20 when she took the LPGA Tour by storm, winning two majors – the LPGA Championship and US Women’s Open – in her spectacular rookie 1998 season.
She added another two LPGA titles and the 2001 Women’s British Open to bring her majors haul to five and also won another 20 LPGA tournaments, although none since the 2010 Bell Micro LPGA Classic.
Pak spoke little English and was the only South Korean player in her early years, but she opened the floodgates and now players from her country, led by Park, dominate the game.
“I’m so proud and happy to see what the young Koreans are achieving,” said the leader of the revolution.
“I’m still as motivated but I feel much less pressure than when I started out. Playing golf now is more enjoyable.”
Rain prevented a Thursday start to the event and two rounds will be played on Sunday.