Canada's Brooke Henderson tied for 3rd after 1st round at Shoprite LPGA Classic & More News Here

Australian rookie Stephanie Kyriacou shot a 6-under 65 on Friday to take the first-round lead within the ShopRite LPGA Classic at Seaview Hotel and Golf Club.

“The greens are quite challenging,” Kyriacou mentioned. “They’re pretty firm and they’re fast, so it’s kind of hard to stick [shots]. But it wasn’t as windy as the practice rounds, so that was a positive.”

Sweden’s Frida Kinhult was a stroke again.

Top-ranked Jin Young Ko was at 67 with Canada’s Brooke Henderson, Dottie Ardina and New Jersey participant Marina Alex. Alex gained the Palos Verdes Championship in early May in California for her second tour title.

Twenty-time LPGA Tour winner Cristie Kerr and former native instructing professional Meaghan Francella have been within the group at 68.

Kyriacou benefitted from some recommendation from LPGA Hall of Famer and fellow Australian Karrie Webb earlier within the week. The 47-year-old Webb, the 2013 Shoprite winner with 41 profession victories, bumped into Kyriacou on the follow inexperienced Tuesday and supplied some ideas.

WATCH | Canada’s Brooke Henderson tied for 3rd after opening round:

Canada’s Henderson within the hunt at Shoprite LPGA Classic

Brooke Henderson shot a gap round 4-under 67 and sits tied for third place at the LPGA tour cease in Galloway, NJ.

It paid off. Kyriacou loved a bogey-free round and carded six birdies.

“I just kind of just asked her what she did when she struggled with nerves in her prime. I just asked how she coped with it and she gave me a few tips,” Kyriacou mentioned. “She kind of just said between shots to just close your eyes and breathe and listen to the birds and stuff. Just to get your mind off things. It’s so simple, but it’s very helpful.”

Webb shot a 73 in her first tour begin since January.

Kinhult, who was the top-ranked beginner in 2019, additionally teed off early.

“I was looking at the leaderboard all day,” Kinhult mentioned. “I always do. I like to have a little bit of knowing what’s going on out there. I still try to play my own game, but I saw 6 under, so I tried to catch that one, which was good motivation. It’s two more days left, so anything can happen.”

The fairways and grandstands have been brimming with followers who celebrated the match’s return to its regular early June slot. The occasion was held in early October the earlier two years due to scheduling conflicts attributable to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of the loudest ovations have been for Alex, the native favourite who made her LPGA Tour debut at the ShopRite Classic in 2012.

Francella is taking part in in her first LPGA Tour match in 9 years, additionally a fan favourite. Now a instructing professional at Philadelphia Cricket Club, she has spent the final two years serving to her mom battle breast most cancers.

“I’m not going to quit my day job, I know that,” Francella mentioned. “But I’m just trying to enjoy it and have fun. I have a lot of people out here watching and supporting me. I spent a lot of time in my career not enjoying it. I’m really having a lot of fun out there.”