(Reuters) - World number one Lydia Ko endured one of the worst rounds of her fledgling career on Thursday as the New Zealand teenager limped to a five-over-par 77 during the first round of the Blue Bay LPGA Tour event in China.
The 18-year-old's struggles on the lengthy Jian Lake Blue Bay Golf Course with its iconic undulating greens left Ko 10 shots off the early pace set by China's Lin Xi Yu, who cruised to a bogey-free five-under 67.
"I think today is pretty good round for me," Lin said.
"Actually when I played in the practice round, I thought, this place is pretty tough, and also I'm pretty surprised what I'm doing today.