Lee Seo-yun shoots a bogey-free 8-under 64 to take the surprise first-round lead at the KG Ladies Open. [Photo=KLPGA]
Lee Seo-yun shoots a bogey-free 8-under 64 to take the surprise first-round lead at the KG Ladies Open. [Photo=KLPGA]

Little-known Lee Seo-yun has surged to the top of the leaderboard at the KLPGA Tour's KG Ladies Open, which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($722,000).

Playing at Turning Point Country Club (par 72) in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province on Thursday, Lee carded a bogey-free, eight-birdie round of 64 to sit one stroke clear of a four-way tie for second shared by Jang Eun-su, Yoo Ah-hyun, Jeong Su-bin and Thailand's Jaravee Boonchant.

Lee got off to a fast start with back-to-back birdies on the first two holes, then added birdies on Nos. 7 and 9 to turn four under. She kept the momentum going on the back nine, picking up four more birdies to write her name atop a leaderboard for the first time in her career. Born in 2004, Lee joined the KLPGA in 2022 but is competing as a rookie this season and has yet to win on the regular tour. Her best finish to date was a tie for 26th at the Nexen-Saint Nine Masters in April.

"I teed off early in the morning and my stomach was a little upset, so I wasn't feeling my best," Lee said after her round. "But I think not rushing and waiting patiently for my chances actually led to the good score. I shot well today, but I don't think every rhythm was perfectly in sync overall. Luck was on my side too, so I want to set today's result aside and focus on maintaining my rhythm going forward, just as I have been."

Jang Eun-su, who claimed her first win in 10 years on tour at the Jeju Samdasoo Masters on Aug. 9, was on course to share the lead after making eight birdies through 17 holes. But a wayward second shot into the rough on the par-5 18th led to a bogey, dropping her into a tie for second heading into the second round.

"My putting hadn't been cooperating as well as I'd hoped since the win, so that was frustrating," Jang said. "But today the putts were dropping and I was able to put up a good score. Turning Point is a course I personally enjoy, and honestly I didn't expect to score this well from the first round. My feel isn't bad right now, so the key is to keep this momentum going."

Noh Seung-hee, still winless this season, fired a 6-under 66 to join Ko Ji-won, Choi Eun-woo, Park Hye-jun and Lee Ju-mi in a five-way tie for sixth.

Seo Gyo-rim, who claimed her fourth win of the season last week at the BC Card-Hankyung KLPGA Championship, posted a bogey-free 4-under 68 to sit in a tie for 17th. She enjoyed a fortunate break on the par-5 18th, where her birdie putt from 3.8 meters briefly teetered on the lip before dropping in.

"My ball-striking wasn't bad today, so I think I played through the round without any major trouble," Seo said. "I've been a bit worn out from competing for wins week after week lately, but I'm still pleased that I finished well with a birdie on the last hole."


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