Thitikul Leads Mizuho Americas Open
JERSEY CITY, N.J. — Jeeno Thitikul from Thailand had a remarkable start on the first day of the Mizuho Americas Open. She recorded an impressive score of 8-under 64, marking a successful opening round that put her two shots ahead of her competitors.
Strong Performance on the Greens
Thitikul's performance was highlighted by her putting skills, needing only 26 putts during the round. She achieved eight birdies and managed to complete the round without any bogeys. Playing in favorable conditions with little wind, Thitikul demonstrated precision, particularly with a strong finish on the 17th and 18th holes.
Celine Boutier and Competitors
Following Thitikul are Celine Boutier from France, who finished the round with a score of 66, along with Hye-Jin Choi from South Korea and Lindy Duncan. Boutier made a strong push in the middle of her round, recording five consecutive birdies. Despite this, she acknowledged that she could have taken better advantage of the par 5 holes.
Nelly Korda's Journey
Defending champion Nelly Korda ended the day with a score of 68, including six birdies. Korda has encountered challenges this season and reflected on the need to stay focused on her game plan rather than the pressure of past successes. Her performance implies a shift towards remaining present and enjoying the game.
Recent Success of Haeran Ryu
The group just behind the leaders included Haeran Ryu from South Korea, who recently secured a victory at the Black Desert Championship. Although Ryu faced a bogey on her last hole, her prior success helped elevate her to a high world ranking, currently placing her at No. 5.
