Jessica Korda, coming off a victory in the Bahamas, shot 5-under-par 68 to tie for the lead with Katie Barnett, another young American, in the Volvik RACV Ladies Masters after one round at Royal Pines Resort in Queensland, Australia.
The 20-year-old Korda collected eight birdies and continued to play well despite making swing changes with instructor Grant Price before winning the Pure Silk-LPGA Bahamas Classic two weeks ago.
“It’s going to be a process,” said Korda, who bounced back from three bogeys in a span of five holes through No. 5 with birdies on her last two holes while finishing on the front nine. “I’m finally getting the distance back on my driver, which is nice. I’m taking four practice swings behind the ball. So, I’m still working on things.
“I feel comfortable here. I’ve been coming here since I was a baby,” added Korda, whose father, Petr, captured the 1998 Australian Open tennis title.
Burnett, a second-year pro out of the University of South Carolina, carded five birdies in a stretch of eight holes while also finishing at No. 9, with her only bogey coming at No. 4.
Cheyenne Woods, niece Tiger, birdied four of her last eight holes to shoot 69 and the Wake Forest graduate was in a tie for second that included Lorie Kane of Canada, Lee-Ann Pace of South Africa, Valentine Derrey of France and Stacy Lee Bregman of South Africa.
