Shin starts strong at Kingsmill golf event

WILLIAMSBURG, Virginia (AFP) –

Jiyai Shin of South Korea lines up her birdie putt on the eighth hole during the first round of the Kingsmill Championship on September 6, 2012 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Shin shot a sizzling nine-under 62 to take the lead in the first round

South Korea’s Jiyai Shin shot a sizzling nine-under 62 to take the lead in the first round of the LPGA Tour‘s Kingsmill Championship before it was suspended at dark.

The 24-year-old Shin had to contend with a two-hour weather delay and was two shots ahead of the field when organisers called play because of darkness with 33 players still on the course.

“When I started this morning, it was a little windy. I just kept focused on safe play, but when I made a birdie on the first couple holes, I said ‘okay, I feel good today, so let’s play a little bit aggressive,’” said Shin.

Dewi Claire Schreefel, of the Netherlands, posted an eagle on the par-five seventh hole to reach seven under after 16 holes before play was halted.

Four players were at six-under 65, and four more were at 66.

Paula Creamer was among those who shot a 65 and was joined in third place by Maria Hjorth, Azahara Munoz and Beatriz Recari.

Shin is chasing her first victory since the 2010 season, when she captured two events.

Shin had her putter going early by making birdie on the 10th and 11th to get her round going. After three straight pars, Shin rolled in another birdie on the 15th.

The 2008 Women’s British Open champion followed with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to get to five-under.

Shin made the turn, then missed the green at the fourth. That is when the horns blew forcing the players off the course.

She returned to a tough pitch shot, which she nailed for another birdie.

“When I left the course, I was really worried. I thought, ‘Okay, I left the hard chip shot, how can I practice?’

“In my memory, my mind was all about the chip shot, it was really hard,” Shin said. “Then after rest, a little bit of practice for chipping, and when I went out, I chipped it in.”