Lee Mi-hyang with 27 par at 9 holes ties for fewest par in LPGA

The fewest par at an 18-hole golf course in the LPGA Tour is 59, which was set by Annika Sorenstam of Sweden. She achieved the landmark on March 17, 2001 in the second round of the Standard Register Ping Championship at Moon Valley Country Club (par 72) in Phoenix, Arizona.

On Friday or exactly one day and 15 years later, this situation happened in the first round of the Founders Cup at the Wildfire Golf Club (par 72) in Phoenix, about 20-minute drive from the place where the "dream record" was made by Sorenstam. Lee Mi-hyang (18) had nine-under 72 by garnering one eagle and seven birdies while playing at nine holes from Hole 10 to Hole 18.

Lee displayed amazing shots, making people to expect that she could possibly break Sorenstam’s legendary record. However, she saw her putting on shaky ground in the latter half, and only managed to add one birdie. Nevertheless, Lee finished the competition 10-under 62, the record set at the course ever and the fewest par in her entire career.

Twenty seven par at nine holes that Lee posted while taking the solo lead in the competition ties the record in the LPGA Tour. Yang Hee-young recorded 27 par by garnering nine consecutive birdies from Hole 10 to Hole 18 on the final day of the KEB Hana Bank Championship in October last year.

Defending champion Kim Hyo-joo and Park Se-ri, who will retire after this season, tied for 36th by posting three-under 69 each. Kim Se-young, who posted nine birdies, tied for second by a one-par difference, while Park Sung-hyun, an invited player, tied for 10th with six-under 66 by banking on her long-distance shots reaching 295 yards.

김종석기자 kjs0123@donga.com