Nelly Korda made an impressive start in the first round of the Ford Championship by shooting a 6-under 66, positioning herself three shots back in her quest to win three consecutive LPGA Tour starts. The tournament, held at Seville Golf and Country Club in Gilbert, Arizona, saw ideal scoring conditions after the challenging wind conditions faced by players in the previous week's Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship in Los Angeles.
Pajaree Anannarukan took full advantage of the favorable conditions, carding a bogey-free 9-under 63 to take the lead after the first round. She was closely followed by Lilia Vu, Gabriela Ruffels, Isa Gabsa, and former Arizona State players Azahara Munoz and Carlota Ciganda, all within striking distance of the lead.
Nelly Korda, the current top-ranked player, started her round with four birdies in five holes and finished strong with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 18th hole. Korda is aiming to achieve a rare feat by becoming the first LPGA Tour player to win three consecutive starts since 2016.
Anannarukan, a two-time LPGA Tour winner, showcased her skills by closing her round with five consecutive birdies on the front nine. Vu, who recently lost her top spot in the world rankings to Korda, put up a solid performance with a mix of birdies and a lone bogey on the front nine.
Carlota Ciganda and Azahara Munoz had impressive rounds with multiple birdies and eagles, while Ruffels and Gabsa also displayed strong performances with a mix of birdies and eagles. Celine Boutier and Hyo Joo Kim shot 65 to stay in contention after the first round.
The competition at the Ford Championship promises to be intense as players vie for the title in the inaugural event at Seville Golf and Country Club. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament progresses.
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