Golf: Kiwi Lydia Ko makes strong start at LPGA's first Major of 2024

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has made an encouraging start at the LPGA's first Major of the year.

After her opening round, Ko is in a four-way tie for fourth at the Chevron Championship, firing a three under-par 69 at The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas.

She's three shots back from leader Laurn Coughlin of the US and just a single shot shy of second-placed Marina Alex (US) and Minami Katsu (Japan).

Ko recovered from a bogey on her second hole at the 11th to record back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th holes. She added two more birdies at the second and seventh.

"I think that kind of calmed the nerves a little bit and I played solid really after that," Ko said of her consecutive birdies. "Didn't put myself in that many difficult positions.

"You just have to stay patient. I felt like there were a few putts I wish I could have holed, but all in all it was a good start."

The world No.8 needs one more title win to cement her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

She hasn't recorded as tour win since her triumph at the Tournament of Champions in Florida in January of last year.

Her second and last Major win was at the 2015 ANA Inspiration in California, which has since become the Chevron Championship.

Kiwi golfer Lydia Ko has made an encouraging start at the LPGA's first Major of the year.

After her opening round, Ko is in a four-way tie for fourth at the Chevron Championship, firing a three under-par 69 at The Club at Carlton Woods in Texas.

She's three shots back from leader Laurn Coughlin of the US and just a single shot shy of second-placed Marina Alex (US) and Minami Katsu (Japan).

Ko recovered from a bogey on her second hole at the 11th to record back-to-back birdies on the 13th and 14th holes. She added two more birdies at the second and seventh.

"I think that kind of calmed the nerves a little bit and I played solid really after that," Ko said of her consecutive birdies. "Didn't put myself in that many difficult positions.

"You just have to stay patient. I felt like there were a few putts I wish I could have holed, but all in all it was a good start."

The world No.8 needs one more title win to cement her place in the LPGA Hall of Fame.

She hasn't recorded as tour win since her triumph at the Tournament of Champions in Florida in January of last year.

Her second and last Major win was at the 2015 ANA Inspiration in California, which has since become the Chevron Championship.

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