Oct 2, 2008 - 10:30 PM
0 shoutsHALF MOON BAY, California (Ticker) -- So far, so good in Ji-Yai Shin's first tournament on the LPGA Tour since her signature win.
Shin fired a 5-under-par 67 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the opening round of the Samsung World Championship.
Paula Creamer sits a stroke behind and two-time reigning champion Lorena Ochoa is in a group of six golfers another shot back at the Half Moon Bay Golf Links' Ocean Course, which was hampered by mist and some fog at times.
A 20-year-old from South Korea, Shin gained membership on the LPGA Tour when she sealed a surprising win at the Women's British Open in August. However, she opted to return to the Korean LPGA Tour following her major victory, notching a victory at the Shinsegae KLPGA Championship last weekend as she aims for the tour title.
"Actually, a big change after British Open, more in Korea," said Shin when asked how the major win affected her game. "I'm very famous now. And then I get more confidence.
"But after (the) British Open I played five tournaments in Korea and Japan. Last week, I won. Three weeks (before), I was second. So I'm really waiting (to) win again."
A top-10 finisher in six previous LPGA events this season, Shin picked up steam on the back nine, ripping off four straight birdies starting at No. 12 before settling for her only bogey of the round at No. 16.
Regardless of whether she can continue her good play here this weekend, Shin stated that she will look to join the LPGA on a full-time basis next season.
"Yes, I think (about) playing in America," she said. "(It's) not scary because I'm long time waiting for this Tour, and then actually now my dreams (are coming) true. So it's exciting, yes."
A runner-up here in 2005, Creamer spread five birdies throughout her round, using her last at the 17th to make up for her only bogey on the previous hole.
The native Californian did have issues with the weather, waiting on the tee at No. 6 for more than a couple of minutes to wait for some fog to pass.
"It would come and go," Creamer said. "It wasn't worth it. I'm glad that we waited. It was so weird because the third tee box was right behind us and they could see fine. But we couldn't see down our fairway."
Despite the issues, Creamer went on to par the hole, remaining at 2-under.
A three-time winner this season, Creamer's solid start has her in the mix to achieve one of her early season goals.
"I told myself I wanted five wins at the beginning of the year," Creamer said. "We will see what happens. I've never been somebody to kind of dwell if I don't get there. I try to use it as momentum to help me."
Coming off her seventh victory of the season in a playoff at the Navistar Classic last week, Ochoa managed a 3-under 69 despite collecting two bogeys in her first six holes.
The world No. 1 rebounded with an eagle on the par-5 10th, chipping in from 35 yards out, and added her third birdie of the day on the 17th.
"I was trying to make it," Ochoa said of the only eagle of the day. "Me and (caddie Dave Brooker), we want to get the most eagles of the year, and I am one behind. Every eagle is like, okay. It always feels good."
Ochoa is looking to become the fourth player to win this event at least three times, including five-time winner Annika Sorenstam.
The Swedish star is also tied for third following the opening round, notching four birdies along with a bogey.
Ochoa and Sorenstam are tied with Na Yeon Choi, Yani Tseng, Song-Hee Kim and Angela Stanford.
First prize is $250,000.
