Golf

South Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim hits record low major round of 61

Wie’s return lasts just 13 holes before she retires after aggravating finger injury

Michelle Wie of USA plays a shot during the first round of the Evian Championship in Evian-les-Bains, France, yesterday. Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Michelle Wie of USA plays a shot during the first round of the Evian Championship in Evian-les-Bains, France, yesterday. Photograph: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images
Thu Sept 11 2014 - 21:26

South Korea's Hyo Joo Kim shot a record low major championship round of 61 to take a four-stroke lead into the second round of the final major of the season in Evian-les-Bains, France.

The 19-year-old's 10-birdie round eclipsed by one stroke the previous record held jointly by Minea Blomqvist and Lorena Ochoa, and is two better than the men's best held by multiple players at 63.

Australia's Karrie Webb is in second place on 65, one stroke ahead of another Korean, Mi Jung Hur.

However, Michelle Wie’s return lasted just 13 holes before she was forced to retire after aggravating a finger injury. Wie sat on a five-over-par 56 when she conceded she could not continue.

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The US Open champion has been sidelined for a month with the injury and only started playing full shots last week.

But she appeared determined to return in time for Evian, saying earlier this week: “I kind of have the mindset where I’m going to hit 230-yard drives.

“I’m definitely one club less, not hitting as far as I want to. At the same time, I’m just really excited that I can hit balls, I can come out here and play.”