LPGA Release, June 09, 2018: Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist, France’s Celine Herbin and the United States’ Laura Diaz share the lead through the first round at 5-under par at the 2018 ShopRite LPGA Classic presented by Acer. Aditi Ashok, returning to action, after a break, produced an even 71 on Friday.
Nordqvist, who has won two of the last three editions of this event, has finished no worse than T13 in eight career starts on the Bay Course. Nordqvist holds at least a share of the first-round lead for the second year in a row at this tournament.
Diaz, who plays only part-time on the LPGA, is competing in her first event of the 2018 LPGA season. At 43 years old, the two-time LPGA champion holds at least a share of the lead following a round for the first time since the 2014 Marathon Classic.
Herbin is new to this position on the leaderboard – she holds at least a share of the overnight lead for the first time in her career. The 35-year-old from France tied her best career round with her 66 on Friday, a number she had posted only once in her career prior to this week.
Nine players are tied in fourth place one shot back of the lead.
MARINA ALEX POSTS BEST SCORE AT SEAVIEW
Wayne, N.J. native Marina Alex fired her best career score at the ShopRite LPGA Classic with a 4-under par 67 in the first round on Friday.
Alex, who was a two-time winner of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Championship while at Wayne Hills High School, has only made the cut once in five career starts at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
“I’ve really had a rough go here. I don’t know why,” Alex said after her round. “I’ve played here so many times, and I guess maybe I feel like I should play better because I kind of know it a little bit. But it’s nice to just have a good round.”
The 27-year-old is in her sixth year on the LPGA Tour is still in search of her first career win. She already has two top-five finishes to her name in 2018, including her first-career runner-up result at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup.
YANG REMINISCES UL INTERNATIONAL CROWN EVENT
Republic of Korea’s Amy Yang carded a first-round 4-under 67 in her eighth start of the 2018 LPGA season.
“You know, it was pretty windy out there today, but shots were very solid out there. I gave myself a lot of good chances and my putting was also good,” said the three-time LPGA winner.
Since mid-April, Yang has been focusing on getting healthy after an aggravating arm injury. However, she was all smiles after her first round, especially reliving memories of the UL International Crown. Yang is currently the 10th ranked Korean player in the Rolex Rankings – the top four players will make up the final members of Team Korea.
“It was amazing, I had a great time there,” said Yang, a member of Team Korea at the 2016 UL International Crown. “I remember I was so nervous out there but it was such an honor to be on Team Korea and I had a great time.”
That same year, Yang competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics, finishing T4 alongside American Stacy Lewis and Japan’s Haru Nomura. Yang is looking for her first win since the 2017 Honda LPGA Thailand.
