Kim Leads Fortinet Founders Cup with 63

Hyo Joo Kim fired a bogey-free 9-under 63 on Thursday to seize a two-shot lead after the first round of the Fortinet Founders Cup at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club in Menlo Park, California.

The 30-year-old South Korean, a seven-time LPGA Tour winner and the 2015 champion of this event, capped her round with an eagle on the par-5 18th hole, holing out from off the green. Kim expressed greater satisfaction with her consistency than the dramatic finish. "I am just so satisfied I had no bogeys," she said. "I had some mistakes in the beginning, but I was able to save them. I ended with an eagle, so I ended pretty happily." Describing the eagle, she added, "I couldn't see the hole from where I was, but people started cheering and then I heard a 'Yeah!' So I figured it went in."

Morning starters like Kim benefited from calmer conditions before the greens firmed up and sped up in the afternoon, challenging players to control their approaches on the tree-lined layout. This marks the course's debut as an LPGA venue.

LPGA rookie Dongeun Lee of South Korea sits alone in second at 7-under 65, also closing with an eagle on the 18th after seven birdies, five on the front nine. "The line...