BOCA RATON, Fla. — Lydia Ko did not play in the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in 2020, but her lack of familiarity with the 6,701-yard course was not a handicap.
The 24-year-old two-time major champion from New Zealand shot a bogey-free 9-under-par 63 in Thursday’s opening round to take a two-shot lead over Danielle Kang.
“I played with the president of the club (Wednesday) in the pro-am, so maybe he gave me some good energy?” said Ko. “I didn’t get into too much trouble, so I was kind of putting myself in play.”
