Kim Mi-hyun in 3rd Place at the 1st round of Take Fuji Classic

This season’s LPGA Tour is a one-woman show.

Annika Sorenstam (Sweden), the empress of golf, has swept up three major titles this year, including the Nabisco championship. The SBS Open, won by Jennifer Rosales (Philippines), was unattended by Sorenstam.

Competitors eyed the grand prize for the Take Fuji Classic (total prize: $1,100,000) held at the Las Vegas GC (par 72) in Nevada on April 15, as Sorenstam was not scheduled to play.

Dashing for a Chance-

Eyeing its first win of the season, the “Korean team” made a commendable start in the first round with Kim Mi-hyun (KTF) and Park In-bee (17), winner of the 2002 U.S. Junior Championship, finishing in third place (six under par, 66 strokes). Song Aree (HiMart), having obtained a strong sponsor this season, also showed hope for her first win on the pro circuit, finishing the round in eighth place (five under par, 67 strokes).

Karrie Webb (Australia) and Wendy Ward (U.S.) ranked first in the first round (seven under par, 65 strokes), causing concern for the Korean team. Kim Mi-hyun’s flawless performance of one eagle and four birdies was commendable, causing the team to retain hope. Making up for her physical status by her high concentration, Kim typically displays her strength in competitions such as this with three rounds and 54 holes.

Focusing on the Location of the Pin in the Second Round-

Jeon Seol-an (HiMart) gave way to Cristie Kerr (U.S.) in a seven-hole shootout last season, resulting in a final score of seven under par and 209 strokes.

To heighten the interest of the game, the sponsors have installed pins in plain location for the first round. As a result, there were 58 players who scored under par, and a record of seven under par was achieved within a day. Spectators are looking forward to the second round, in which pins are expected to be located in more difficult locations.

Jeon Seol-an, who vied for the win last year on this course, recorded 32nd place in the first round (two under par, 70 strokes), while Kerr recorded 59th place (even par, 72 strokes).

“Rookie” Kim Joo-mi (HiMart) recorded a long overdue under par round, ending the first day’s play in 32nd place along with Jeon Seol-an.

Young-Sik Ahn ysahn@donga.com