Could it be another native of France winning an LPGA major?
Following the victory by Celine Boutier (Titleist Pro V1x) in the Amundi Evian Championship less than two weeks, which represented the first major of her career and the first from her country on home soil, fellow countrywoman Perrine Delacour (Titleist Pro V1x) is in contention following the first round of the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath Club in Surrey, England.
The purse for this year’s event is a record $9 million, with $1.35 million going to the winner.
Delacour was among several players grouped at two-under par, one shot back of the lead.
The opening day proved to be quite favorable because of the pristine conditions, notably warm temperatures and no threat of rain. That is expected for the remainder of the tournament.
The only thing that presented problems for the golfers were the purple heathers sprinkled throughout the course. The purple heather represents admiration, solitude and protection. I doubt the golfers feel it offers any one of those three things. They are otherwise a variation of the yellow gorse seen in England’s links golf. So if a ball lands in that thick hay, it’s basically take your lumps and move on.
The 29-year-old Delacour joined the LPGA Tour in 2020 and is looking for her first victory. She is also looking for her first top-10 finish in a major.
Boutier, looking to win her third LPGA Tour event in a row following her victory last week in the Scottish Open, shot two-over par and needs to have a better round on Friday to make the cut.
Atthaya Thitikul (Callaway Chrome Soft X) opened with four-over par on the first hole and also finished at two-over par. She sat at three-over par following the front nine. She made a double bogey on the 15
American Ally Ewing (Titleist Pro V1x) has the lead at four-under par. She is searching for her first victory of the season in her 14
Among those tied in second at three-under are Jeongeun Lee6 (Titleist Pro V1x), Amy Yang (Titleist Pro V1x), Jaravee Boonchant (Titleist Pro V1x) and Emile Kristine Pedersen (Srixon Z-Star Diamond).
Lee6 won the 2019 U.S. Women’s Open, her only win so far on the LPGA Tour, and placed second in this event in 2021.
Yang, who last won an LPGA event four years ago, is also searching for her first win in a major. She has played in 13 events this year and has two top-five finishes.
Boonchant is a rookie on the LPGA Tour.
Pedersen’s best result in a major came in 2016 with a tie for 14
Reigning champion Ashleigh Buhai (Srixon Z-Star XV) shot two-over par.
