Manon De Roey defies brutal conditions to take opening day lead

The world’s top golfers battled the elements in challenging conditions at the opening round of the Aramco Team Series – New York. Belgium’s Manon De Roey overcame the wind and rain in the Big Apple to take the early lead in the individual event at Trump Golf Links on the Ladies European Tour.

De Roey, who clinched her first LET title winning at the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok earlier this season, was flawless with a bogey-free round of 68 to finish on four-under-par.  Only four players at Trump Golf Links were able to shoot under par with better conditions expected for Friday and Saturday for a course favoring the long hitters.

Nelly Korda, champion at the last Aramco Team Series event in Spain, sits behind De Roey after a two-under par round of 70. The American world number 4 showed her class in the wind on her back nine – with her team of Noora Homulainen, Celine Herbin and amateur James Rawson in the mix in the team event also in second place.

“The weather wasn't that great so we were all saving each other and thankfully we all had each other's back,” said Korda.  “We played pretty well today. It was pretty windy and then it started kind of raining toward the start of our back nine and it stopped around on the 14^th and the wind died”. 

Talented 18-year-old rising star Pia Babnik joins Korda on two-under with four birdies and just the one bogey on her second hole in a controlled round of golf.

“I tried to really keep my ball flight much lower in the wind - I definitely needed to make some adjustments,” said Babnik.

Team Leona Maguire leads the way in two-day team competition on 11-under-par alongside Liz Young, Tvesa Malik and former NFL star Golden Tate – winner of Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks.

Irish star Maguire said: “It’s a good test out there and was playing long with lots of woods and hybrids needed. It will be a little kinder tomorrow and we can make plenty of birdies to keep it going.”

Team Pelaez Trivino are just one back led by captain Ana Pelaez, Nicole Garcia, Emma Grechi and amateur Michael Singer.

“It's really important to be patient around this course and because sometimes you’re not going to hit the best shot and you're not going have the best bounce and stuff like that,” said Pelaez. 

Native New Yorker Annie Park enjoyed her day on the links and first experience of the unique team and individual event.

“This is my first time playing at this golf course and it felt like I was in Scotland today with the golf course and the weather. This is such an individual sport, and to have a little bit a team aspect into it, I think it's fantastic with a lot on the line which is individual and team.”