England’s Lottie Woad was just one shot behind the lead after the opening round of the LPGA Tour season-opening Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in Florida.
Rod’s first-round 67 at Lake Nona Golf and Country included six birdies and a bogey to leave him tied for second and one stroke behind leading pacesetter Nasa Hataoka.
The British woman made three birdies from the third to fourth holes on the par-5 9th hole, then added consecutive birdies from the 13th hole and fell to 5 under par with the final bogey.
Woad shared second place with world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, Chanettee Wannasaen and Sweden’s Linn Grant, while Hataoka shot two birdies in the final four holes to shoot a 6-under 66 to take an early lead.
“It could have been better, it could have been worse,” Woad later said. “I need to practice my driving a bit. I just missed a few fairways. I shouldn’t have missed that last hole. Other than that, everything was pretty good.
“I feel like I’m pretty strategic and planning my path. I want to keep it that way.”
Wood of England hit from a bunker off the 18th fairway. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Titicool recorded six birdies and a bogey on Thursday to move up the rankings in a tournament open to LPGA Tour winners from the past two seasons. Wannasaen had seven birdies in a round of 67, while Grant birdied the final two holes to join the group at 5 under par.
Nelly Korda made two bogeys in her final three holes to drop to 4 under par with Amy Yang, while Lydia Ko shot a 3-under 69 and England’s Charley Hull led the way with a 2-under 70 in fifth.
Watch the second round The Hilton Grand Vacations Champions Tournament will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Mix from 4.30pm on Friday. Access or stream Sky Sports with no contract.
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