Jaravi-Bonchant holed from 128 yards for the eagle on her second shot of the tour and had a 7-under 64 on Thursday to take a first-round lead with Lyn Grant at the LPGA Tour’s Dana Open.
“I was just like the first cut and I was like, ‘Okay, this shot, nowhere on the green,'” Ponchant said of the eagle in the tenth. “…and the ball hit one jump and jump into the hole.”
Boochant also had seven birds and two ghosts at Highland Meadows. The 24-year-old Thai player is winless on the LPGA Tour after helping Duke win the 2019 NCAA title. She missed participating last week in the Women’s US Open in Pebble Beach.
“My irons were really doing the job today and it put me in a position where I could have a shot at making a birdie,” said Ponchant. “My putter has been rolling really well too, and that has really helped.”
Grant had a bogey-free run, opening with a straight six pars on the back nine. Also on the tour, the 24-year-old Swede birdies No. 16-18, 2, 6, 8 and 9. She played in Arizona.
“I think my exit last week — playing Pebble, was a challenge,” said Grant, who is tied for 53rd at the US Women’s Open. “Last week I felt I hit the ball well and I was putting it well. Obviously, coming here, the conditions were easier. I think that kind of fits my mentality for today.”
A big hit was Arya Jutanugarn of Thailand and Emily Pedersen of Denmark. Jutanugarn was a twelve-time Tour winner without a bogey. Pedersen birdied three of her final four holes.
“Very solid,” Pederson said. “I hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens, and two out of the three times I’ve come up I’ve missed greens. So, seven birdies — stress-free.”
Rose Zhang topped the pack at No. 66. She had a sponsor exemption for the Dana Open when she turned pro, and just before she won her first LPGA Tour event as a professional at Liberty National.
“I was able to turn some long shots into the Birdie and really made a standard Level 5 revolver, so I think it was pretty solid overall,” said Chang. “I hope to continue the momentum.”
Bailey Tardy, who came out of a tie for fourth at Pebble Beach, was 66th with Lenny Strom, Linnea Johansson, Matilda Kastrin, Shiyu Lin, Kelly Tan, Xiaoyin Yin and Aditi Ashok.
US Women’s Open winner Alison Corpuz won by 5 points for 67. Lydia Ko, Mingyee Lee, and Se Yong Kim were also in the big group at 67.
Jin Young-koo, the No. 1 player in the world rankings, shot 69. She missed it at Pebble Beach.
Defending champion Gaby Lopez of Mexico opened with 70 points.