INDUSTRY, Calif. (AP) — Second-ranked Jiyai Shin shot a bogey-free 9-under 64, birdieing nine of the first 14 holes, to take a four-stroke lead in the rain-delayed Kia Classic.
The South Korean star, an eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, had a 12-under 134 total on the Industry Hills Golf Club course at Pacific Palms.
Germany’s Sanda Gal was second at 8 under with nine holes left when play was suspended for the day because of darkness. Seventy-two players, the entire afternoon group, were unable to finish the round after rain delayed the start three hours.
Michelle Wie, returning to the tour after finishing finals at Stanford, followed an opening 68 with a 75 to drop nine strokes behind Shin at 3 under. Wie bogeyed three of her final four holes.
Shin missed only one fairway and one green in regulation and finished with 25 putts. She made four birdie putts from 12 feet or longer.
