Szokol up by 3 after opening of Women’s World Championship

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This article was published 02/03/2023 (1313 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SINGAPORE (AP) — Elizabeth Szokol shot an 8-under-64 for a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Women’s World Championship on Thursday.

Yuka Saso of Japan was second after a bogey-free 67, and a pack of six including Nelly Korda and former No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn carded 68s at Sentosa Golf Club.

Szokol shot 6 under on the front nine, including four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 fifth. Her only bogey came on the 10th hole but she birdied 14, 16 and 18.

Szokol is returning from a back injury — a herniated disk — and said she took advantage of the soft conditions on the damp course.

“This is my first time playing here,” the American said. “And people had said usually it’s a bit firmer. But the rain definitely softened it up. So I could be a little bit more aggressive with some pins today.”

Brooke Henderson, of Smiths Falls, Ont. shot 6 over and is in 65th place after the opening round.

Saso won the 2021 U.S. Open as a teenager but has not won any titles since.

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“Well, winning here on the LPGA is not easy,” she said. “So you just have to keep grinding and keep working and give yourself a chance.”

No. 1-ranked Lydia Ko and No. 4 Atthaya Thitikul both shot 70, and No. 3 Minjee Lee had a 72.

Korda’s sister, Jessica Korda, shot 76 and Brooke Henderson, who won the season-opening Tournament of Champions in January, had a 78.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports