Pebble Beach, California. – Xiyu Janet Lin and Hyo Joo Kim carded a 68 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead at the US Women’s Open.
They have a priority shot at Pebble Beach, one of America’s most popular courses.
Lynn and Kim are at minus four.
The LPGA Top 4 featured par scores of 22, including 79s for Jin Young Ko and Lilia Wu.
Ko is No. 1 on the circuit, while Wu won his first major of the season.
In the previous 24 rounds in this tournament, Koh had never done worse than 75.
Ontario’s Brooke Henderson is in good shape at 71 following four birdies.
Other Canadians are Monet Chun (74), Lauren Kim (75) and Celeste Dao (77).
Rose Zhang had to settle for 74 runs. The 20-year-old Stanford University golfer won the Mizuho Open in his pro debut last month.
Zhang double-bogeyed the eighth hole and didn’t birdie the back nine.
Lynn hit his only bogey on his final hole of the day.
“My play on the greens saved me early in the round, only needing 25 putts. It gave me confidence and allowed me to be a little more aggressive.
Kim tied Lin at the top with a 20-foot putt on the 17th hole.
Ireland’s Ain Donegan and Leona Maguire are among six golfers at 69.
Two weeks ago, Maguire held the lead after three rounds at the LPGA Championship before a 74 pulled her onto the board.
“Playing another big tournament helps to regain focus,” he said. Much more in a field like this. I hope to give myself more opportunities.
Nasa Hatoka and Hae Ran Ryu shot 69s, as did Americans Bailey Tardy and Alisen Corpus. Tardy hit an eagle on the sixth hole.
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