South Korean teen becomes first golfer to shoot 61 at a major

A South Korean teenager made golf history Thursday, becoming the first player to shoot 61 in a major championship.

Hyo-Joo Kim finished the first round of the Evian Championship in France with 10 birdies and no bogeys to break the previous women’s record of 62. No man has shot better than 63 at a major.

“First, I feel it’s very hard to play,” the 19-year-old said through an interpreter. “But I think I have good luck, so I had better score.”

It wasn’t the first time that Kim, ranked 20th in the world, had gone so low -- she had 61 on Japan’s JLPGA tour last year. But she said this tournament felt more important.

“I think Evian is the expensive water, so I feel good about that, drink expensive water,” she said. “In Korea, Evian is expensive water. I drink two or three here.”

Heading into Friday’s second round, Kim holds a four-stroke lead over seven-time major champion Karrie Webb. Defending champion Suzann Pettersen of Norway is six strokes back.