Hurst, Kim lead at LPGA Korean event

INCHEON, South Korea, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Vicky Hurst and Kim Song-hee each shot 4-under-par 68 Friday and share the lead after the first round of the LPGA's Hana Bank Championship in South Korea.

Both leaders had five birdies and a bogey and are ahead of defending champion Choi Na-yeon and Amy Hung, who are at 3-under. Michelle Wie is in a group of eight players at 2-under 70, two strokes behind the leaders.

Hurst was in the first group off and set the early pace with three birdies in a five-hole span from No. 3 through No. 7. She dropped back with a 6 at the par-5 13th hole but came right back with a birdie at 14. She capped her round with a 4 at the par-5 closing hole.

Kim was also 3-under after seven holes and birdies at 11 and 15 got her to 5-under in the round before a bogey at 16 dropped her into a tie with Hurst.

The LPGA is in the middle of a three-week Asian swing. The tour last week conducted a tournament in Malaysian, won by Jimin Kang who is tied with Wie after the first-round play in South Korea and plays in Japan next week.