Good Grace: Aussies on fire at rich LPGA Tour event
Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee.
All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont.
Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay.
Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s.
Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th.
But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon.
Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole.
"I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it."
The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17.
"I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too."
Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round.
"That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said.
"Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice."
Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77.
With The AP
Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee.
All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont.
Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay.
Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s.
Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th.
But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon.
Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole.
"I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it."
The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17.
"I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too."
Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round.
"That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said.
"Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice."
Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77.
With The AP
Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee.
All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont.
Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay.
Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s.
Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th.
But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon.
Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole.
"I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it."
The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17.
"I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too."
Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round.
"That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said.
"Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice."
Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77.
With The AP
Grace Kim has fired a sizzling seven-under-par opening round to spearhead an Australian blitz at the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan.
A year after losing to Lilia Vu in a playoff, Kim rattled off six birdies and an eagle at the par-5 10th hole in her round of 65 to be outright second behind South Korean Mi Hyang Lee.
All up, five Australians occupy positions inside the top 15 at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont.
Karis Davidson produced a bogey-free 66 to share third with Sofia Garcia of Paraguay.
Dual major winner Minjee Lee and Gabriela Ruffels are a stroke further back in a tie for sixth after opening with 67s.
Fellow Australian Cassie Porter continued her great start to her rookie LPGA Tour season with a 68 to be joint 11th.
But leader Lee is the woman to catch after the Korean played a six-hole stretch in six under to set a cracking pace in the final event before next week's Women's PGA Championship in Texas.
Only three of the top 10 in the world are competing at the $US3 million tournament. Haeran Ryu, the highest-ranked player at No.5, shot a 69 in the afternoon.
Playing in the morning on the tree-lined course, Lee birdied holes five to eight, parred the ninth and eagled the 10th after surprising herself by reaching the green in two on the par-5 hole.
"I didn't expect I can hit the green there for my second shot," Lee said. "But it was a great line and good hit with the three wood and I made the green. It was almost 24 feet, like right-to left-eagle putt. I didn't expect to make it."
The 32-year-old capped the bogey-free round with further birdies on 14 and 17.
"I missed only two fairways," Lee said. "I think that's a lot of help to hit the greens a lot, too."
Kim chipped in for eagle on 10 and for birdie on 11 in her morning round.
"That was a good start to the back nine," the Sydneysider said.
"Just kind of saved pars early and then loosened up as we went on. That was quite nice."
Vu opened her title defence with a five-over 77.
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The Advertiser
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'Scared' Picklum leads the way after victory in Brazil
Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory. Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory. Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory. Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. "She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter," said the 22-year-old from Gosford. "I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her." The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 - reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. "I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward," she added. "I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. "Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love." In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
South Korean duo survive playoff for first titles in US
Somi Lee has poured in an eight-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years. Thompson's partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff on Sunday, but she missed a five-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start. Thompson made an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a six-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260. Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win. The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just five feet right of the cup. Im went nearer the pin but eight feet long, setting up Lee for the winning putt. "Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played," Khang said. Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule. The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year. Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. "I can't believe it," Lee said after making her winning putt. Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64. Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth, three shots behind. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule. Somi Lee has poured in an eight-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years. Thompson's partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff on Sunday, but she missed a five-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start. Thompson made an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a six-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260. Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win. The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just five feet right of the cup. Im went nearer the pin but eight feet long, setting up Lee for the winning putt. "Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played," Khang said. Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule. The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year. Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. "I can't believe it," Lee said after making her winning putt. Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64. Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth, three shots behind. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule. Somi Lee has poured in an eight-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years. Thompson's partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff on Sunday, but she missed a five-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start. Thompson made an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a six-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260. Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win. The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just five feet right of the cup. Im went nearer the pin but eight feet long, setting up Lee for the winning putt. "Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played," Khang said. Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule. The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year. Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. "I can't believe it," Lee said after making her winning putt. Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64. Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth, three shots behind. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule. Somi Lee has poured in an eight-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to team with fellow South Korean Jin Hee Im to win the Dow Championship, denying Lexi Thompson her first LPGA title in six years. Thompson's partner, Megan Khang, had a chance to extend the playoff on Sunday, but she missed a five-foot birdie putt that was on the low side of the hole from the start. Thompson made an eight-foot birdie putt on the par-3 18th hole, with Khang still facing a six-foot birdie attempt, as the American duo closed with a 10-under 60 in the fourballs format. They were the first to post at 20-under 260. Lee made a 10-foot birdie putt to tie for the lead on the 17th. Im and Lee missed birdie chances on the 18th in regulation for the win. The playoff switched to foursomes. Thompson hit the tee shot on the 18th to just five feet right of the cup. Im went nearer the pin but eight feet long, setting up Lee for the winning putt. "Bummer to miss the last one in the playoff to force another hole, but very happy how we played," Khang said. Thompson has not won since the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2019 and decided last summer to no longer play a full schedule. The Dow Championship was her eighth tournament this year. Im and Lee are in their second year on the LPGA Tour and this was their first title in America, though both were prolific winners on the Korea LPGA. Im has won six times on the KLPGA, while Lee has five KLPGA titles. "I can't believe it," Lee said after making her winning putt. Lindy Duncan and Miranda Wang had a 59 in the better-ball format and tied for third, two shots out of the playoff. They were joined by Manon De Roey and Pauline Roussin-Bouchard, who teamed up for a 64. Albane Valenzuela and Sarah Schmelzel, who had the 54-hole lead, closed with a 66 and failed to make birdie over the final seven holes. They finished fifth, three shots behind. The Dow Championship is the only official team event on the LPGA schedule.
7NEWS
an hour ago
- 7NEWS
Aussie Molly Picklum goes wild after becoming new world No.1 with WSL title win in Brazil
Australian surfer Molly Picklum has shown why she's top of the women's World Surfing League standings, claiming her first win on tour this season in Saquarema, Brazil. After beating Canadian Erin Brooks 13.06 to 7.60 earlier on Sunday (Monday AEST) in the second semi-final, Picklum took on local Luana Silva in the final of the Vivo Rio Pro, stop 9 of the competition. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Molly Picklum celebrates her title in Brazil. Picklum opened with a 6.83 and followed it up with the highest single wave score of the event for the women, an 8.17. Her final total of 15.00 was also the highest of the event for the women at Praia de Itauna. Silva's best two-wave score totalled 9.23, well short of being able to stop Picklum winning for the third time. Picklum was chaired off after emerging from the water, letting out a huge yell in excitement of the achievement. 'She's (Silva) been surfing so well. I knew she's such a competitor and she's such a fighter,' said the 22-year-old from Gosford. 'I was pretty scared all the way till the end even though I had a couple of good scores. But yeah, she's capable of great things and I'm so happy to get that one over her.' The WSL Tour's most consistent women's surfer in 2025 — reaching the quarter-finals in eight out of nine events, including three Finals - Picklum enjoys top spot with just two regular-season events remaining on the calendar. 'I've worked so hard this year to really put my best foot forward,' she added. 'I've dreamt so much of winning here in Rio, too. I'm a real energetic person, I love the Brazilian energy, and to get a win this year means so much for sure. 'Thank you so much and shout out to everyone back at home. I know you're all probably up watching and I felt all the love.' In the men's draw, Aussie Ethan Ewing was beaten in the semis by American Griffin Colapinto, 14.84 to 14.20, after earlier downing defending champion and home hope Italo Ferreira (14.43-13.30) in the quarters. Colapinto was then out-gunned 16.90 to 14.40 by compatriot Cole Houshmand in the decider, who went two-for-two in CT Finals, backing up his 2024 breakthrough win at Bells Beach with another victory.
