Shin Da-in shares first-round lead at OK Savings Bank Open, eyes back-to-back wins

Shin Da-in shared the first-round lead at the KLPGA Tour's OK Savings Bank Utman Open — which carries a purse of 1 billion won ($736,000) — on Friday, setting her sights on a second consecutive victory.

Playing at Adonis Country Club (par 72) in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, Shin carded five birdies and one bogey for a 4-under-par 68, joining Lee Ye-won and Yang Hyo-jin atop the leaderboard after the opening round.

Shin is riding a wave of momentum after winning the KLPGA Tour's KG Ladies Open last week for her second consecutive title.

Starting on the 10th hole, Shin dropped a stroke at the par-4 13th after her tee shot drifted left and drew a penalty, finishing the front nine at even par after picking up a birdie at the par-5 15th. She surged up the standings with four birdies on the back nine — draining a 10.5-meter putt for birdie at the par-4 2nd hole, then following it with another birdie at the par-3 3rd. She added two more at the par-5 5th and par-5 9th with precise iron play.

"The course isn't particularly long, so I focused on hitting more fairways," Shin said after her round. "That naturally created a lot of birdie opportunities, and I was able to finish with a good result."

Amateur Oh Su-min, a student at Shinseong High School, joined winless Han Ji-won and Ko Ji-woo — who has one victory this season — in a tie for fourth at 3-under 69.

Kim Min-sol, who has three wins this season, opened with four birdies and two bogeys for a 2-under 70, placing her in a tie for seventh. Her same-age rival Seo Gyo-rim, who leads the season with four victories, did not enter the tournament.

Defending champion Bang Shin-sil struggled to a 1-over 73 — two birdies offset by a bogey and a double bogey — and dropped into a tie for 40th.