Lydia Ko etched her name in LPGA Tour history Thursday with a blistering 12-under 60 at Whirlwind Golf Club's Cattail course, seizing the first-round lead at the Ford Championship by one stroke. The former world No. 1's masterpiece marked just the ninth sub-60 round in tour history and her personal career low by two shots.
"I don't think I've ever actually started a round with four birdies, so it was nice to take advantage of the good start and continue that on my back nine," said Ko, who opened with four straight birdies. "I feel like I stayed patient and was rolling it really well."
Defending champion Hyo Joo Kim nearly matched Ko's brilliance with an 11-under 61 that featured a back-nine 28 and a spectacular eagle hole-out from the fairway on the par-4 eighth. Their dual assault on the course created the first instance of two players shooting double-digit under par in an opening round since 2003.
Ko's putter proved the difference-maker after she made a rare equipment change earlier in the week. "It's been a while since I have tried a different model," Ko said of her new Scotty Cameron 12. "This has only been one round but it's a good start. You know, really couldn't have been any better."
Nelly Korda lurks three shots back after a 9-under 63 that included a hole-out eagle on 18, continuing her strong early-season form. The morning wave dominated scoring before afternoon temperatures neared 100 degrees, with world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul managing just a 2-under start in the tougher conditions.
Ko admitted the magic number of 59 crossed her mind after reaching 14-under through 15 holes. "That would have been nice to hole that one," Ko said of a missed 7-foot birdie putt on her 16th hole. "But who knows? Birdied some other ones that I didn't expect, so kind of just evens out."
The Kiwi star now faces the challenge of maintaining this form as she seeks her first win since regaining elite status. With Kim and Korda in pursuit and favorable morning conditions expected again, the Ford Championship promises more fireworks as Ko attempts to convert her historic start into a long-awaited victory.