(14 September 2012)
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Australians Karrie Webb and Stacey Keating are just one shot off the lead after the opening round of the Ricoh Womens British Open at Royal Liverpool.
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The pair is chasing the South Korean duo of So Yeon Ryu and Haeji Kang who shot two under par 70&aposs to sit atop of the leaderboard.
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Ryu and Kang share the highest 18-hole score to lead the championship since it became a Major in 2001 and although conditions were relatively benign, compared with earlier in the week, players generally struggled to hit the narrow fairways and escape the thick and punishing rough in a tricky breeze.
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The 21-year-old Kang set the pace in the morning before being joined by her compatriot Ryu, the 2011 US Women’s Open champion, late in the afternoon.
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Webb and Keating, teed off in morning field and carded one-under-par 71&aposs.
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Keating was at two-under-par playing her last hole, but she hit into a pot bunker and had to take her medicine which resulted in a bogey.
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rnWhen asked about her round, the Victorian replied “The first was a tough opening hole and I hit a 5 wood to about eight feet and holed it so it&aposs always nice to start with a birdie. I had a few birdie chances and a couple of good saves, like up and downs on par 3s.”
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Webb, was also happy with her opening round “Everything was pretty good but my ball striking was very good today, especially early on, which really set the tone for my round. Hit a lot of greens early on which made me a lot more comfortable on the course.”
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Webb agreed that hitting a high percentage of greens is going to be key this week. “I think that&aposs huge this week, trying to keep it out of trouble, and you know, not get in too many of the bunkers or the long gorse or anything like that. I did a good job of it today, and I have three more days to do it.”
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Kang led early despite a double bogey and two bogeys courtesy of six birdies, including four in six holes around the turn.
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She said: “I started with a bogey but I managed myself out there, to stay calm. Especially in this kind of major, you have to be very patient. My iron shots were just inside 20 feet all the time.”
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Ryu, winner of the 2012 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic on the LPGA and the Hanwha Finance Classic on the Korean LPGA last week, picked up five birdies and three bogeys to join Kang.
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This is the 22-year-old’s first time playing in the Ricoh Women’s British Open and she has been practising playing low shots with her coach, Ian Triggs.
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“This is my first time playing the British Open and this is my first time visiting England, so everything is a first experience for me,” said Ryu, who added that the conditions reminded her of windy Jeju Island in Korea.
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“Actually Tuesday and Wednesday was so bad, so today feels like a really great weather. But you know, in Korea it can be a really strong wind.”
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Kang and Ryu lead Webb, Keating and seven other players by one shot. English amateur Charley Hull, Lydia Hall of Wales, South Korean Jiyai Shin, Japan’s Ai Miyazato and Mika Miyazato and Americans Vicky Hurst and Katie Futcher.
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World number one and defending champion Yani Tseng is part of a large group on level par 72 along with Australian Katherine Hull and the 15-year-old New Zealander Lydia Ko – the world’s top amateur.
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Of the remaining Australians in the field Sarah Jane Smith and Nikki Garrett both shot 74 to be tied for 42nd, Stephanie Na and Lindsey Wright are tied for 74th position at four-over-par, with Karen Lunn a further shot back and tied for 95th. Rachel Bailey finished at seven-over and is tied 119th, while Rebecca Artis had a tough day and is tied for 125th a further shot back.
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The cut will be made to the top 65 players and ties after the second round.
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