The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ROOKIE Lydia Ko, off to an impressive start in her professional campaign, joined Meena Lee in a two-way lead after the first day of competition Thursday at the Pure Silk-Bahamas Golf Tournament that officially opened the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s 2014 season.

Ko, who won the Canadian Women’s Open as a 16-year-old amateur last August and Lee, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour since turning pro in 2005, shot a 5-under-par 68 to top the leaderboard of the field of 108 of the top female golfers in the world at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island.

Stacy Lewis, the top-ranked player in the field at No. 3, was among nine players tied a stroke back on the 6,644-yard, par-73 course that overlooks the clear blue sea.

“I just tried to play my own game and be relaxed,” said Ko. “I got off to a shaky start and I needed to make a four-footer for par, but when I made birdie at No. 2 I was able to relax. I was actually shocked that I wasn’t nervous. I felt I even played better than my score. I gave myself a lot of opportunities.”

Could this be the coming out party for Ko, a petite New Zealander who joined the LPGA Tour as the No. 4 ranked player? The day was exactly that as she birdied the 16th and 18th holes to climb into a share of the lead. Ko nor Lee, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour since turning pro in 2005, suffered a 3-putt.

A South Korean who now resides in Orlando, Florida, Lee was just delighted to be back playing under much better conditions than last year when the rain played havoc on the tournament.

“I was putting well today and then No.14 I made eagle, so everything was working together,” she said. “I had a winter time working hard, so that’s why I have confidence more than last year. That’s why I feel very good and happy to play in the first tournament.”

For Lewis, a resident of Palm Beach Garden, Florida, said she played well, but she was more surprised at the performance from Ko.

“When she gets some confidence in herself, the rest of this Tour better watch out,” said Lewis of Ko. “When I saw we were paired together, I was pretty happy. She is just a really likeable kid.”

The day wasn’t so pleasant for Bahamian pro player Georgette Rolle. She finished at the bottom of the pile at 10-over-par 83. She will get a chance to make up some ground when she tees off at 8:30am.

Defending champion Ilhee Lee was tied with 16 other players at one-over-par 74 at number 60, leaving her in contention for the final cut of 70 after today’s second round.

The final two rounds are scheduled to be played on Saturday and Sunday with live televised coverage from 3-5pm by the Golf Channel.

So far, one player, American Marina Alex, has been disqualified.