Muirfield, Aug 5: It was a disappointing start for the India duo of Aditi Ashok and Diksha Dagar, in the first round of the 2022 AIG Women’s Open. The Indians came into the main tournament through the qualifiers at North Berwick earlier in the week.
Aditi opened with 2-oover 73 and was T-56, while Diksha Dagar (77) was T-118th and will need a very strong second round to make the cut, which could fall at 2-over.
Japan’s Hinako Shibuno fired an opening round of 65 (-6) at Muirfield and held a one-shot lead over Jessica Korda of the US.
The 23-year-Shibuno old won the Open in 2019 at Woburn in her first event outside of Japan. Nicknamed the ‘Smiling Cinderella’ she got off to a quick start with three birdies in a row before dropping a shot on the fourth. The Japanese star rolled in birdies on the fifth and ninth holes to make the turn in 32 (-4) before making three more birdies and one bogey on her back nine for a round of six-under-par.
One shot behind the leader is the 29-year-old American Jessica Korda, who sits alone in second place on five-under-par at Muirfield.
Scotland’s Louise Duncan and Mexico’s Gaby Lopez share third place on four-under-par with Lopez having a bogey-free day.
Duncan, who won the Smyth Salver in 2021 at Carnoustie, had an up and down round with two bogeys, four birdies and an eagle for her 67.
Five players are in a tie for fifth place on three-under-par after 18 holes including 2022 Race to Costa del Sol leader Maja Stark, France’s Celine Boutier and England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff.
Three players round out the top 10 with Japan’s Miyuu Yamashita and Korean pair Inbee Park and Hye-Jin Choi on two-under-par.
Swedish star and current leader of the 2022 Race to Costa del Sol Maja Stark was pleased with her steady to start to this week’s AIG Women’s Open at Muirfield.
The 22-year-old carded a round of 68 (-3) which included four birdies and one bogey to leaver herself in a tie for fifth after the first day of competition.
Stark secured her fourth LET title in less than 12 months at the start of July winning the Amundi German Masters. But the Swede has struggled in recent weeks missing the cut at the Amundi Evian Championship and last week’s Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open.
Major winner Catriona Matthew hit the first tee shot this morning and played alongside Duncan and American Sophia Schubert.
