Golf: Lydia Ko makes strong start to LPGA season in Thailand

Lydia Ko of New Zealand watches her shot on the first hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand. Photo / AP

World No. 1 Lydia Ko of New Zealand has made a strong in her LPGA Tour season opener in Thailand.

Ko, who has three of her last four starts, had an error-free round of 68 to sit three shots back from the group of five golfers sharing the lead.

The crowded leaderboard was no surprise on the Pattaya Old Course: The average winning score over the past 10 years is 21 under par.

Jennifer Kupcho bogey-free seven-under 65 was highlighted by a birdie-birdie finish and an eagle on the par-5 10th hole at Siam Country Club.

Of her eagle, she said, “I hit a really good drive and had a pretty short club in. Still hybrid but pretty perfect club, and it hit just short of the green and rolled up really close to a tap-in.”

With her in the lead were 2014 champion Anna Nordquist of Sweden, six-time USLPGA Tour winner Nasa Hataoko of Japan, local hope and tour rookie Jaravee Boonchant, and last year’s runner-up, Lin Xiyu of China.

Three-time major winner Nordquist birdied her first hole, the 10th, and had eight in all against a lone bogey on the fourth.

Hataoka bogeyed the 13th but finished her round with four consecutive birdies.

Boonchant, who earned her tour card through Q-School last December, also started on the 10th and birdied her first two holes. She sparked Thai fans’ hopes for a local victor after former world No, 1 Ariya Jutanugarn won in 2021.

“Amazing,” Boonchant said of her day.

Lin started on the back nine and birdied six holes coming in for her 65. Last year, she opened with a 64 and reeled off 66s before losing to Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark on extra holes. Koerstz Madsen has begun her title defense at 1 over.