Former World No. 1 Lydia Ko shone in the first round of the GAINBRIDGE LPGA AT BOCA RIO. She scores 63 (-9) on the Boca Rio Golf Club and takes two strokes ahead of her first pursuer. Perinne Delacour is the first Frenchwoman with a score of -3, in 25th position.

Lydia Ko during the first round of the GAINBRIDGE LPGA AT BOCA RIO - © via Twitter @LPGA

Lydia Ko during the first round of the GAINBRIDGE LPGA AT BOCA RIO – © via Twitter @LPGA

After returning to service last week during the Tournament of Champions, the LPGA Tour is this week in Florida. Tenth last week, Lydia Ko opens the tournament with a card of 63 (-9) and at the same time takes the lead of the tournament. She signs nine birdies without any error and is thus two strokes ahead of her first pursuer Danielle Kang. Having returned to success in 2021 after more than two years of scarcity, Lydia Ko has regained her status as a top player, currently pointing to third place in the Rolex Rankings.

Double winner in major, the New Zealander signed new good results in grand slam in 2021 with a sixth place in Evian as well as a place of runner-up at the ANA Inspiration.

Danielle Kang, winner last week, repeats a good performance with a card of 65 (-7). She is second two strokes behind Lydia Ko. The Indian Aditi Ashok completes the podium at -6.

Our Blues

Perrine Delacour, best French player, is in 25th place with a score of 69 (-3). +1 after eight holes, she signs four birdies at the end of the game to place herself under par.

Céline Boutier, under par from 1 thanks to a birdie unfortunately ends her game on a bad note with a double bogey on the 18th. She enters a card in the PAR and ranks 63rd nine strokes behind the leader Lydia Ko.

Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, for her first as a member of the LPGA Tour, returns a card of 73 (+1). Part of the 10, she signs two birdies on her way for a passage in -2. Four bogeys, including two on par 5s on the return, will weigh down his card despite a birdie on his fourteenth hole. She ranks 81st.

The provisional Cut is set to +1. The Blues, in particular Céline Boutier and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard will therefore have to shine this Friday to hope to play this weekend.

To find the complete GAINBRIDGE LPGA AT BOCA RIO leaderboard: click here.

By Baptiste Laurensou.