Jennifer Song shot a first round score of seven under-par 65 to take a two-shot lead over Michelle Wie and Eun-Hee Ji in round one of the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore.

Wie said, “I felt like I placed myself in a good position today, so hopefully the next three days, make my birdies. I three-putted twice today, so no more of that.” Reflecting on a similarly strong start last year before tailing off in the last round, she added, “Well, it's a new year. I think that I have a lot of great experiences, a lot of good memories from last year and try to build upon it and learn from it.”

Thai amateur Atthaya Thitikul made an impressive tournament debut, carding two under- par 70 alongside the likes of World No.1 Shanshan Feng, Cristie Kerr and 2016 winner Ha Na Jang. After a rocky start which saw her bogey the second and double-bogey the fourth, Thitikul soon found the kind of composure that saw her win last week’s Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship and secure her berth in the tournament.

Making five birdies over six holes around the turn, and finishing with another birdie on the 18th, the 15-year-old golf prodigy showed just what a talent she is.

Thitikul said, “Yeah, I had a lot of confidence today because winning last week on this golf course, gave me more confidence. I was a bit nervous but had a lot fun. I feel really good. But it's all an experience and I have fun on the golf course.”

Text from  www.rococommunications.com

Photo

To mark the occasion, five of the world’s best golfers gathered at Sentosa Golf Club to officially launch the event which features all the world’s top-twenty golfers and each of the 2017 Major winners.

Tournament title sponsor HSBC brought together Shanshan Feng, China’s world number one, defending champion from South Korea Inbee Park plus her compatriot So Yeon Ryu, the USA’s Lexi Thompson and Tiffany Chan, the first golfer from Hong Kong ever to make it on to the LPGA tour – for a tournament launch to celebrate the incredible global field and depth of talent on show.

Crucial element to HSBC’s efforts to grow the sport in Asia is a focus on grass roots, based on the bank’s belief that only by working in partnership can we fulfil our true potential; Tiffany Chan, a sponsor’s invite at this week’s event, is a great example. Her recent achievements can be traced back to her early days as a golfer on the Hong Kong Golf Association’s Junior Development programme which HSBC has gone on to support as part of its mission to support the growth of golf inAsia.

information from  www.rococommunications.com

Photo by  HSBC Getty Images.