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Pecatu, Bali. The windy conditions at New Kuta Golf Resort proved too much to handle for the country’s golfers, as they struggled during Friday’s opening round at the Golflink Resorts Ladies Open.

Lee Solar, a 20-year-old from South Korea, relied on a consistently solid short game to fire a four-under 68 and take a one-stroke lead after the first day of play at the $120,000 tournament.

Two Indonesian amateurs, Victoria Chandra and Marcella Pranova, led the local contingent with a four-over 76, putting them in a tie for 27th place.

Lidya Ivana Jaya and Ni Ketut Raniasih, the country’s only professional players in Indonesia’s inaugural women’s international tournament, struggled in the gusty conditions.

Lidya, who finished in the top 10 at the 2008 Women’s Indian Open, finished with a five-over 77, putting her in a tie for 38th with seven other players. Raniasih was further back after her 12-over 84.

Solar, a three-year professional who hails from Seoul, had six birdies to go with two bogeys. Mina Nakayama and Ami Shiozaki, both from Japan, and two Thai players, Srisawang Nontaya and Pangjan Rungthiwa, were a shot behind.

“I really struck the ball well despite the strong wind at the holes that were near the Java Sea,” Solar told the Ladies Asian Golf Tour Web site.

“The strongest part of my game was on the greens. I had 27 putts in all. My approach was really sharp and I didn’t face any trouble,” she added.

Nontaya said she was enjoying spending time with her father — her caddie. “My areas of difficulty were on the greens. They are very grainy and undulating,” she said.

“My strikes off the tee and the fairways were sharp. Only the double bogey on the ninth, where I took a drop and three-putted, troubled me.”

Nakayama, who turned professional late last year, was pleased with her performance.

“I never really thought I would be in second place, because there are a lot of very strong players out there. I took a safe approach and exercised caution because it was windy out there,” said the 19-year-old Kobe native, the youngest professional in the field.

The pretournament favorites struggled, with Yang Tao Li finishing with a 71 and fellow Chinese player Zhang Na ending up with a 72.

Golf

Antara, JG