{"id":1244563,"date":"2023-05-12T06:58:07","date_gmt":"2023-05-12T06:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/?p=1244563"},"modified":"2023-05-13T11:36:20","modified_gmt":"2023-05-13T11:36:20","slug":"cognizant-founders-cup-2023-r1-sei-young-kim-takes-opening-lead-in-new-jersey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/golftoday.co.uk\/cognizant-founders-cup-2023-r1-sei-young-kim-takes-opening-lead-in-new-jersey\/","title":{"rendered":"Sei Young Kim takes opening lead in New Jersey"},"content":{"rendered":"

12-time LPGA Tour winner Sei Young Kim got off to a blazing start at the 2023 Cognizant Founders Cup, firing a bogey-free 6-under 66 on Thursday, including a streak of four consecutive birdies at 12, 13, 14 and 15.<\/p>\n

The Korean superstar already has a Founders title to her name, capturing the 2016 edition held in Arizona, and is now aiming for her first LPGA Tour victory since 2020\u2019s The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis course is (one of my) favorite courses,\u201d said Kim. \u201cThis course has kind of lot of trees on both sides, and keeping (the ball in) the fairway, it’s really important this week.\u201d<\/p>\n

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LPGA Tour rookie Hae Ran Ryu, also from South Korea, holds solo second at 5-under, carding eight birdies and three bogeys in her opening round. Sitting at 1-under through 11 holes, Ryu went on the same tear as Kim, dropping birdies at 12, 13, 14 and 15 to vault up the leaderboard.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old, who has five victories on the KLPGA Tour, is looking for her breakthrough moment on the LPGA Tour after earning medalist honors at the 2022 Q-Series.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the very first (event) I have really low confidence and I’m always draw a question mark myself, (if) I can do my best or I can do it well,\u201d said Ryu, whose best finish in 2023 is a tie for sixth at the JM Eagle LA Championship. \u201cBut after the tournament and after the rounds I’m getting more confidence at the tour, and from now, I’m really doing well I think.\u201d<\/p>\n