Date: May 17, 2013
Author: Australian Ladies Professional Golf

Hull-Kirk and Webb leading Australians in Alabama

American Lexi Thompson and South Korean Eun Hee Ji share the lead at seven-under-par after the first round of the Mobile Bay LPGA Classic, in Mobile Alabama. Eun-Hee posted seven birdies in her flawless round on the RTJ Golf Trail, Magnolia Grove, Crosings Course. She recorded five birdies on the front nine, followed by another two on the back nine. It was her lowest round on the year. Thompson, who was out early, carded eight birdies and one bogey. The talented player started on the 10th hole and went out in four-under 32 which included consecutive birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th. She bogeyed the par 3 2nd to fall back to three-under, but stormed home with four birdies in her closing five holes. The pair holds a one stroke lead over American Jessica Korda, with seven players at five under-par. Katherine Hull-Kirk and Karrie Webb are leading the Australian contingent, they are both at three-under-par and tied for 20th. It was Hull-Kirk s best round for a number of tournaments. NSW s Frances Bondad who is making her first event on the LPGA this year in America, posted a respectable round of one-under-par 71 to be tied for 46th. One of the players tied with Bondad is Queensland s Sarah Jane-Smith. The remaining three Australians in the field, Lindsey Wright, Sarah Kemp and Julia Boland are all tied for 105th position at two-over-par.