Six golfers, including Kim, finish at 5-under

7/12/2018

In-Kyung Kim waves to the crowd after sinking her putt on No. 18 in the first round of the Marathon Classic.

Blade/Katie Rausch

6:15 p.m.: In Gee Chun powered through the back nine to become the sixth golfer to finish at 5-under-66.

Chun was 1-under following a birdie at No. 11, but she birdied four of the final five holes to finish tied for best round of the day so far. The South Korea native hit eight of nine greens on the back nine and will enter the second round tied for the lead.

I.K. Kim, Miriam Lee, Yani Tseng, Katelyn Dambaugh, and Jacqui Concolino also finished at 5-under.

5:23 p.m.: The four-way tie at the top has not changed deep into the second wave of golfers. 

As it stands now, 12 golfers — four of whom still are playing — are within one shot at 4-under par.

Recent St. Ursula graduate Pinya Pipatjarasgit finished for the day by shooting a 9-over 80 in her first try at a pro tournament. Fellow Arrow Lizzie Win, also a sponsor exemption, is 4-over through 12 holes.

1:20 p.m.: As the morning tee times begin to finish their rounds, defending Marathon Classic champion I.K. Kim is part of a four-way tie atop the leaderboard.

Kim finished her round by sinking a birdie putt on No. 9 to conclude with a 5-under 66, which brought her into a tie with five-time major champion Yani Tseng as well as Americans Katelyn Dambaugh and Jacqui Concolino.

Toledo native Stacy Lewis finished strongly with birdies on three of her final five holes, including a pinpoint tee shot on the par-3 No. 8 that led to a short birdie putt. She ends the first round at 3-under, two shots off the lead.

LEADERBOARD: View the full leaderboard on LPGA.com

11:57 a.m.: It is becoming crowded at the top of leaderboard as the first golfers finish for they day at Highland Meadows. Seven players at this moment are tied at 4-under par, including defending Marathon Classic champion In-Kyung Kim.

Xiyu Lin of China is the only one of the group who has completed her first round. Lin, who started on No. 10, birdied three times on the back nine, erased a bogey at No. 1 with a birdie on No. 2, and then birdied No. 9 to finish her round with a 67. 

Americans Katelyn Dambaugh (through 16), Jacqui Concolino (through 15), Caroline Inglis (through 14), and Christina Kim and Austin Ernst (through 12) are all part of the pack in the lead.

10:48 a.m.: Kim is off to a hot start in the first round at Highland Meadows Golf Club.

Half of the field is in progress at the Marathon Classic, including Kim, who is alone in the lead at 5-under par through nine holes. Kim, who started on No. 10 this morning, birdied Nos. 13, 14, 15, 17, and 18, and has since made the turn onto No. 1.

Kim is playing with Lewis, who is even par.

American Jacqui Concolino sits at 4-under par. Concolino has played 10 holes.

Xiyu Lin (through 12) and 2013 tournament winner Beatriz Recari (through nine) are one stroke back at 3-under.

Check back later for more updates.