Azahara Muñoz (-2) takes positions at the start of the LOTTE Championship. A solid round of 70 strokes by the Malaga native at Hoakalei Country Club allows her to keep intact the chances of the result she so desperately needs with only two tournaments left to complete the regular season in the LPGA.
The Spaniard arrives at the Hawaiian event ranked 122nd in the Race CME to Globe, and it should be noted that only the top 100 of the year retain full playing rights for the next season.
The Spaniard’s round started very well on the 10th hole. Two birdies in the first four flags made it clear that Aza was on the course with the intention of holding nothing back. She then strung together six consecutive pars, unable to take advantage of either of the two par fives in that stretch.
On the 11th hole came the fateful moment of the day with a double bogey that sent her back to square one. She returned to par for the course with seven holes to go. The Spaniard recovered from the double setback brilliantly. With no time for regrets, she took advantage of the 3rd hole on the course designed by Ernie Els to get back into the red. Five more pars and a crucial birdie on the last hole of the day returned the two under par to the Spaniard’s score. Provisional 21st place and eyes fixed on the top of the leaderboard.
To get into the top 100 of the year, the player trained at Hail State needs at least a seventh place. This goal is just two strokes away with 54 holes to go. A good start.
The start has been more challenging for Ana Peláez. The Finca Cortesín player is ranked 177th in the Race and needs to get on the podium of the tournament to break into the top hundred of the year. Her PAR round puts her within the tournament cut, but she will need to shoot lower if she wants to get closer to the top spots of the tournament. She has more than enough time.
Ana’s round was much more eventful than her compatriot’s, with four birdies and four bogeys ending level with the course. She built her round by taking advantage of three of the four par fives on the course. She will need to minimise mistakes with the irons if she wants to continue climbing in the tournament.
The best golfer at the start has been the Korean A Lim Kim. The 2020 US Open champion is looking to win again on the American circuit just as it marks four years since her first and only victory in the LPGA. A round of 66 strokes allows her to be the sole leader.
Behind A Lim Kim, it is very tight. 43 players are within a four-stroke range between -5 and -2. The provisional cut is currently at PAR for the course.
