LPGA Malaysia: Flawless Round Puts Lee In Control

South Korea’s Ilhee Lee carded a flawless seven-under-par 64 to take a mountainous lead after the first round of the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

Lee carded seven birdies and not a single bogey in Kuala Lumpur to take a one-stroke advantage over second-placed American Brittany Lang. Behind her was Paula Creamer, Beatriz Recari and Jodi Ewart Shadoff, as well as South Korea’s Eun-hee Ji tied for third on five under.

Lee said of her current good form: "My goal was three under par every day this week, so I feel like I'm okay for the next couple of days."

She added: "I did a really good job. I've been swinging it good but haven't made too many putts lately. So I was just trying to commit to my lines today and really got off to a hot start. I felt really comfortable out there."

World number one and defending champion Inbee Park carded a one-under 70 to lie six shots off the pace. Of her performance thus far, she said: "Because of the hot weather, that really made it hard to concentrate a lot out on the course.

"So I'm trying to relax a little bit more and go for it tomorrow. It's hard for me to play in that hot weather. I'm not a good player in hot weather but I've had success in recent years, like this year in Thailand and last year in Malaysia. So I'll try to keep it going."