Tseng, Park share lead at HSBC Women’s Champions

SINGAPORE — Former world No 1 Tseng Ya-ni and current world No 2 Park In-bee lead the HSBC Women’s Champions golf tournament after both carded an opening round 6-under par 66 at the Sentosa Golf Club today (March 5).

They hold a one stroke lead over 2012 winner Angela Stanford of the United States (US), with world No 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand in a five-way tie for fourth at 68.

Defending champion Paula Creamer of the US is 51st in the 63-strong field, after shooting a 2-over 74.

Tseng, who finished joint-second at the Honda LPGA Thailand last week — her best finish on the LPGA Tour since May last year at the Kingsmill Championship — bogeyed the fifth hole, but recovered with four birdies on the last nine.

Tseng, who was World No.1 for 109 consecutive weeks from 2011 to 2013, said it was “so much fun” sitting atop a leaderboard.

“I will tell my friends, and my parents that they don’t have to scroll down to see my name on the website. They can just see right on top the first page,” said the 26-year-old.

Park, who lost her world No 1 ranking to Ko last month, had a bogey-free round, and attributed her strong start to a strategic play. She had her first birdie on the 9th hole, and backed it up with five more on the back nine.

“The front nine was the tougher nine to play. I didn’t play too aggressively on the front nine,” said Park. “But I was able to make a birdie on No 9 and that got me started… If I can play the back nine like that every day, it is going to be a good week.”

The tournament, which boasts a total prize purse of US$1.4 million, ends this Sunday.