SYDNEY — Teenage amateur Rachel Lee almost missed her first tee shot but finished the first round of the ISPS Handa Australian Open tied for the lead with American Jenny Shin.
Lee, 16, had to rush the start of Thursday’s round due to time confusion, but continued his momentum with a 6-under 67 at The Lakes Golf Club, which has both men’s and women’s fields and two venues. Ta. format.
“I was putting and my coach said, ‘Rachel, you’re standing on the tee,'” Lee, who attends a high school in Sydney, explained. “So I just ran out there. I learned my lesson.”
Jenny Shin also shot a 66 at the Australian Golf Club to reach 6 under par. The pair had a one-stroke lead over two-time major champion Jiyai Shin of South Korea.
Fourth place with four under par was taken by South African Ashley Buhai and local Stephanie Kyriacou.
In the men’s division, Cameron Davis shot a 63 at Lakes to take the lead by one stroke at 9 under. The 2017 champion made an eagle on the par-5 14th hole and made seven birdies to finish one spot ahead of American Patrick Rogers.
Scotland’s Connor Syme started with a 64 against the Australians and finished third on seven under par.
All but two of the top 10 players in the men’s division are playing their first round at Lakes, including a 5-under, just four days after winning the Australian PGA Championship title in Brisbane last Sunday. It also includes Lee Min Woo.
His older sister, two-time major champion Minjee Lee, finished tied for sixth in the women’s division with three under.
Cameron Smith missed out on last week’s title defense at the Australian PGA, but after opening with a 71 at Lakes, he entered the group of 20 players at 1 under par.
“There’s definitely something to build on there,” he said.
Adam Scott was an Australian with an even-par opening 71, two birdies and two bogeys, and was part of a big group nine strokes off the pace.