Jin Young Ko lost the No. 1 spot in the Rolex Rankings to Nelly Korda after Korda claimed the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Sunday. But on Thursday at the Volunteers of America Classic, Ko sure played like a world No. 1. Her 8-under 63 at the Old American Club in the Colony, Texas, included six birdies in her first eight holes and a closing eagle on the par-5 17th.
Ko said dropping to No. 2 didn’t really provide motivation, explaining that Korda has played particularly well the past two events.
“I’m still alive,” Ko said, laughing.
Ko started the year strong with top-10 finishes in four of her first five events, but her past two starts have included ended in a T57 (Meijer LPGA Classic) and T46 (KPMG Women’s PGA Championship).
10/13 fairways
13/18 GIR
24 puttsJin Young Ko put on a show during the first round of the @VOAClassic
pic.twitter.com/7cMefRftLU
— LPGA (@LPGA) July 2, 2021
Behind Ko, Jeongeun Lee6 and In Gee Chun are tied at 7 under, with Min-G Kim and Emma Talley in a tie for fourth at 6 under.