Boutier grabs first-round lead at Founders Cup
France's Celine Boutier birdied the par-4 ninth hole on Thursday finish with an 8-under-par 64 and take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA's Bank of Hope Founders Cup in Phoenix.
Starting on the back nine, Boutier birdied the par-4 10th hole and then tore through the 6,656-yard Wildfire Golf Club course. She finished with eight birdies and 10 pars.
The final birdie allowed Coutier to emerge from a pack of golfers in the clubhouse at 7 under. Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark, American Alana Uriell, England's Charlotte Thomas, and South Koreans Jin Young Ko and Na Yeon Choi all shot 7-under 65s.
South Korea's Sung Hyun Park and Jenny Shin, Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum, American Cheyenne Knight and Spain's Carlota Ciganda are another stroke back at 6 under to round out the top 11.
Boutier, who won a national championship and was named WGCA Golfer of the Year at Duke in 2014, entered the weekend ranked fourth in the CME Globe points standings. She picked up her first win as a professional at the ISPS Handa Vic Open last month.
The Bank of Hope Founders Cup is a tribute to the founders of the LPGA. When golfers complete the 18th hole and walk off the green, they walk over to and talk with a group of LPGA founders and pioneers seated just off the back of the green.
Defending champion Inbee Park of South Korea shot a bogey-free, 3-under 69 to finish the day in a tie for 25th place.
China's Xiyu Lin aced the par-3 17th hole en route to a 2-under 70.
--Field Level Media
