Jennifer Kupcho showcased her golfing prowess at the U.S. Women’s Open, taking an early lead with a 5-under 66 at the challenging Riviera Country Club. The 29-year-old golfer, who has four career LPGA Tour wins, demonstrated her skill with seven birdies, placing her one shot ahead of South Korea’s Sei Young Kim.

Kupcho’s performance was marked by her ability to navigate Riviera’s demanding setup, which she described as a ‘ball-striker’s paradise.’ Her approach shots gained her 4.27 strokes, the highest in the field, highlighted by a precise 133-yard shot that landed within a foot of the hole on the second.

Despite her previous struggles at the U.S. Women’s Open, missing the cut in her last three appearances, Kupcho’s familiarity with the course paid off. She had visited Riviera two months prior during an LPGA Tour stop in nearby Tarzana, which she credits for her confident play. ‘When I showed up this week, it was just like I knew where everything was,’ Kupcho remarked, acknowledging her parents’ advice to scout the course.

Sei Young Kim and Other Contenders

Sei Young Kim, who has had a strong season in Los Angeles, also prepared extensively for the tournament. She birdied her first two holes and finished strong with three consecutive birdies in the final four holes, including a pair of 29-foot putts.

Other notable performances included Mexico’s Gaby Lopez and Japan’s Hinako Shibuno, who both carded 68s. Lopez briefly reached 6 under before bogeys set her back. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Nelly Korda struggled with her game, finishing 2 over, partly due to discomfort with new shoes she received from Nike and LeBron James.

Amateur Aphrodite Deng, a 16-year-old with a promising future, was also in contention before a late stumble resulted in a score of 70. Deng, who transitioned from figure skating to golf, has quickly made a name for herself, winning the U.S. Girls’ Junior last year.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.