Na-Rin An Takes Early Lead in LPGA Season Finale for $4 Million Prize

Na-Rin An’s best finish at a major is 12th CME Group Tour Championship, Florida – first round leaderboard -8 N-R An (Kor); -7 A Yin (US); -6 A Corpuz (US), M Alex (US); -5 A Valenzuela (Sui), A Jutanugarn (Tha), N Hataoka (Jap), L Grant (Swe), C Boutier (Fra), L Ko (NZ) Selected others -3 L Maguire (Ire); E N Korda (US); +1 C Hull (Eng) Full leaderboard South Korea’s Na-Rin An established a one-shot lead after the initial round of the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida. The champion of the LPGA’s season-ending tournament, held at the Tiburon Golf Club, will be awarded $4 million (£3.2 million) in prize money. An currently holds a narrow advantage over American Angel Yin, having recorded eight birdies during a flawless round of 64 strokes. Yin recovered from bogeys on the second and fourth holes by securing three birdies before the turn. Following an additional four birdies across five holes at the start of the back nine, she then eagled the 17th, positioning herself strongly in contention. Two other American players, Allisen Corpuz and Marina Alex, are a further shot behind, both at six under par. New Zealand’s Women’s Open champion, Lydia Ko, is among a group of six golfers who are currently five under par. Ireland’s Leona Maguire remains within striking distance after achieving four birdies en route to a three-under 69. However, USA’s world number one Nelly Korda and England’s Charley Hull, who recently competed at The Annika last weekend, experienced challenging starts to the tournament. Korda finished her opening round at level par, while Hull stands at one over par after incurring two bogeys and a double bogey.