Jenny Shin shoots bogey-free 66 to lead KPMG Women's PGA C'ship

Shin had five birdies and an eagle on the par-5 15th. She spoke to her sports psychologist on Wednesday night to help calm her nerves.

 

"I was freaking out for this round, so I tried to play as comfortable as I can, just like any other tournament," Shin said. "I tried not to think of it as a major and it turned out great. I had a couple of bogey-free rounds last week, so I think I'm on a good run."

 

Americans Brittany Lincicome, Lexi Thompson, Cristie Kerr and Stacy Lewis were in a large group that finished four strokes back at 70 in steamy temperatures that reached the mid-80s. Lincicome, the winner of the first major at the ANA Inspiration in April, eagled the par-5 15th and followed with a birdie on 16.

 

Two-time defending champion Inbee Park shot a 71. Top-ranked teenager Lydia Ko was another stroke back, and Suzann Pettersen, coming off a win in Canada, finished at 74. Michelle Wie, bothered by a hip injury, shot 75.

 

Shin, who is seeking her first major, had three birdies on the front nine to gain on Webb, a seven-time major winner.

 

Henderson, who turned pro in December, is below the LPGA Tour's age requirement of 18. But she is making the most of her sponsor exemption.

 

Henderson birdied No. 10, her opening hole, and added birdies at Nos. 3, 5, 6 and 15. For her eagle on the par-5, 274 yard 12th hole, she hit a 7-wood 204 yards and the ball landed three feet from the cup.

Then came the three-putt on her final hole, where she "tried to hit it a little too hard and had an 8-footer to save par."

 

The 29-year-old Lincicome, who is seeking her third major, is one of the longest hitters on the tour. She used a 4-iron from 203 yards out and got within 30 feet for her eagle on the par-5, 497-yard 15th.

 

"The putt, if I hadn't hit the hole, it probably would have gone off the green," she said. "(My caddie) asked if I had dented the cup."

 

Park finished with a birdie on 18, one of five on the day along with a bogey. The South Korean has won five majors, including three straight in 2013.

 

Kerr had a bogey on the par-5, 551-yard fifth hole and four birdies on the West Course that she often plays when in New York. She's familiar with the sloping greens at the longtime home of the PGA Tour event now called The Barclays.

 

"The front nine, I had a bunch of chances and a couple putts lipped out," Kerr said. "I just tried to stay patient and got off to a great start on the back nine."

 

BIRDIES: Annika Sorenstam, a winner of 10 majors and three Women's PGA Championships, said she walked the course. "It's a tough course, the greens and some blind holes where you really have to commit yourself. The scores are not that low, not many birdies. It will be a typical grinder week." ... Lincicome ran into Triple Crown-winning jockey Victor Espinoza at the Mets game on Tuesday night and got a picture with him. ... Playing with Kerr and Jessica Korda, Lincicome bet $5 for every birdie after a slow start. "Korda birdied the last, so we were tied, unfortunately," Lincicome said. "We just kind of needed something to motivate us to get back in it. We didn't let Kerr in because she was already making too many."