Yoon leads as Korda bid for major hat-trick falters

Ina Yoon has never finished higher than fourth in a LPGA Tour event

Women's PGA Championship first round

-9I Yoon (Kor);-7K Davidson (Aus);-5A Kim (Kor), A Pano (US);-4A Krauter (Ger), H Choi (Kor), M Khang (US)

Selected others: -2N Korda (US);EL Woad (Eng);+1C Hull (Eng), M Rhodes (Eng), G Dryburgh (Sco), L Walsh (Ire)

South Korea's Ina Yoon leads the Women's PGA Championship by two shots after the first round as Nellie Korda's hopes of a third straight major were dented.

The 23-year-old made no bogeys in a nine-under-par 63 at Hazletine in Minnesota -. is seven shots clear of world number oneKorda.

Yoon, who is in her second year on the LGPA Tour. is yet to finish higher than fourth, made nine birdies in a dazzling opening round.

Australia's Karis Davidson is second after a seven-under 65 while South Korea's A-Lim Kim. America's Alexa Pano are tied third on five under.

"It was fun to play out there," said Yoon. "I'm just trying to think of nothing. Focus on what I need to do. Focus on process. That part, I think, I did great."

American Korda is in a share of 19th after making five birdies. also a double bogey on the 16th hole.

The 27-year-old four-time major winner won the Chevron Championshipin Apriland the US Women's Openearlier this month.

"Honestly just made one bad swing, which ended up in a double. But overall, pretty happy with my day," said Korda.

"I put myself into a good position. I'm really happy with the first day. You can't win it on the first day, but you can definitely lose it. Overall happy with a solid start."

The purse of $13m (£9.8m) this week is the largest in women's golf history. with $1.95m (£1.48m) awarded to the winner.