Karin Sjodin reels off 8 birdies in first round of LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012
Swedish Karin Sjodin shot a superb 64 in the opening round of LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012, making a solid start.
The LPGA Hana Bank Championship 2012 is being played at Sky72 Golf Club, Ocean Course, Incheon, Korea, with a strong field featuring most of the top-ranked LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) stars.
Sjodin was confident when she opened her round in the Friday morning as she parred the first two holes to make a stable start by carding a total of 8 birdies.
The Swedish golfer then shot two straight birdies on the difficult par-3 third and fourth, something needed to keep her momentum going. Sjodin sent the crowd cheering once again after she posted another two back-to-back birdies on the 6th and 7th hole.
Commentators said that despite the fact that the field has several big names, Sjodin has emerged as a strong contender and she is likely to keep the pressure intact on rivals in the next two rounds.
On the back nine, the LPGA titan maintained her grip on the driver as she shot another four birdies, with no bogey. She handled the ball well on the greens of 11th hole and made a perfect birdie-putt to further cement her position on the leaderboard.
Commentators pointed out that Sjodin posted a bogey-free round, which reflects that the course conditions are better than expectations, with calm winds sweeping through the Ocean Course.
Regarded as a battle-hardened player on the LPGA Tour, Sjodin has been trying to grab her maiden title. However, a stellar start at Incheon can help her get closer to her much-wanted first triumph.
Although still winless, the Swedish prodigy has done well in several tournaments.
One of her best performances was recorded at Kraft Nabisco Championship 2012, where she finished tied for the fourth position. She had come quite close to winning, but was hampered in the final moments as she made mistakes on some holes.
“I think I take things kind of calmly, relaxed. I don't think I go too high or too low. I'm kind of a mellow, enjoying‑what‑I'm‑doing kind of person. So I think that definitely helps, even in success and also when you're struggling. Maybe that's something that comes with my old age,” Sjodin mentioned what helped her shine at Kraft Nabisco Championship, in one of her interviews.
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