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Jutanugarn opens with sizzling 65 in women's golf

REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The hottest golfer in the world continued her torrid play Thursday, as Ariya Jutanugarn sits atop the leaderboard after the opening round at Rio 2016.

Coming off her first major victory at the Women's British Open a couple weeks ago, Jutanugarn came to Brazil full of confidence, which was on full display during her 6-under round of 65. The 20-year-old's round was an up-and-down affair, as she registered a bogey, double bogey, eagle, and seven birdies throughout her round.

Lurking just one stroke back is former world No. 1 Inbee Park of South Korea. If Rio 2016 is her farewell to professional golf, she's doing all she can to go out on top.

The seven-time major champion, who hasn't played on the LPGA Tour in over two months due to a thumb injury, fired a bogey-free 66 to sit tied for second with fellow South Korean Seiyoung Kim.

The 28-year-old has talked extensively about starting a family and retiring from the game, but made it a point to participate in the Olympics before making a final decision. Whether she plays next month in the season's final major, the Evian Masters, is up for debate, but it's clear she's focused on a gold medal.

Denmark's Nicole Broch Larsen, Taiwan's Candie Kung, and Spain's Carlota Ciganda are in a group just two strokes off the pace.

Leaderboard

Pos. Player To Par Score
1 Ariya Jutanugarn (THA) -6 65
T2 Inbee Park (KOR) -5 66
T2 Seiyoung Kim (KOR) -5 66
T4 Nicole Broch Larsen (DEN) -4 67
T4 Candie Kung (TPE) -4 67
T4 Carlota Ciganda (ESP) -4 67
T7 Lexi Thompson (USA) -3 68
T7 Aditi Ashok (IND) -3 68
T7 Charley Hull (GBR) -3 68

Notables

Lexi Thompson is the low American, sitting at 3-under after a 68. A bogey on the par-5 18th certainly ended the world No. 4's round on a sour note, but she sits in good position to make a move on Thursday. USA teammate Stacy Lewis birdied the final hole to finish a 1-under.

Lydia Ko is unquestionably the top golfer in the world, but she couldn't hold any momentum throughout the opening round. After a 1-over 36 on the front side, the New Zealander carded two birdies and an eagle on the back side to finish at 2-under.

Canada's Brooke Henderson had an awful start to her Olympics, sitting 3-over through four holes, but rebounded by going on a birdie-binge to finish 1-under for the day.

Tweet of the Day

Golf hasn't been in the Olympics since 1904, so regardless of who wins the ladies event, history will be made. It won't just be golf history in Thailand if Jutanugarn can hold the lead through the final three rounds.

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