Jodi Ewart Shadoff holds a one-shot lead after the first round of the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
Ewart Shadoff, 32, shot a bogey-free 7-under 66 Thursday at Royal Adelaide Golf Club in Seaton, South Australia, ending her round with back-to-back birdies on Nos. 17 and 18. This is the second straight year Ewart Shadoff has held the first-round lead in the ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open.
“I really love the golf courses here,” Ewart Shadoff said. “I played well last year. I played well here when it was here a couple of years ago too. “I think just go out there tomorrow and try and do the same thing.”
SCORES: ISPS Handa Women’s Australian Open leaderboard
Ewart Shadoff, who totaled seven birdies Thursday, pledged $100 for each birdie she made this week to the relief effort in Australia after bushfires devastated parts of the country. The amount will be matched by Ewart Shadoff’s sponsor, Radar Tires.
“Really happy to make seven birdies,” said Ewart Shadoff. “I’m donating to the Adelaide Koala Rescue this week for birdies, so it’s nice to make a ton of birdies today.”
Inbee Park and Jeongeun Lee6 sit T-2 at 6 under. Park, who is working toward a spot on the 2020 Olympic team, had the opportunity to sit in solo second, but bogeyed the par-4 18th to card a first-round 67.
Marina Alex, Amy Olson and Jillian Hollis sit T-4 at 5 under. There are 12 golfers tied for seventh including reigning champion Nelly Korda. Korda, who shot 4-under 69 Thursday, carded six birdies and two bogeys.