Shin Takes Lead, Coe Struggles on First Day of ShopRite Classic

On a day of unusually high scores, Jiyai Shin shot an amazing 5-under par, a 66, to take the lead at the end of the first round of the 2011 ShopRite LPGA Classic on the Bay Course at the Seaview Dolce Resort.

Sandra Gal was second with 4-under with a 67, and Catriona Matthew was third at 3-under at 68.

Yani Tseng, ranked No. 1 in the Rolex Rankings, and defending ShopRite LPGA Classic champion Ai Miyazato are tied for 43rd place overall at 2-over-par with scores of 73.

Oakcrest High School graduate and Mays Landing native Joanna Coe shot an 86 to finish at 14-over-par in her professional debut.

"I let (the pressure and the crowd) get to me," Coe said. "I thought I had it together."

She didn't play the type of golf she's used to playing as a standout high school and college athlete. Coming off the third green, she told her family and friends in attendance, "I'm so confusing."

"I had a quad, an eagle and a birdie," Coe said. "Golf is just a crazy game."

It was a long day for Coe, as well as the other golfers on the course, many of whom spent five hours on the links. Coe teed off at 2:12 p.m.  and wrapped things up almost exactly six hours later.

She has to come right back out Saturday morning, as those who teed off Friday morning get the Saturday afternoon times, and vice versa. Coe tees off at 9:02 a.m.

Leaders Shin, Gal and Matthew will be in the same group, and will hit the course at 9:02 a.m., as well.

Tseng and Miyazato are paired in the same group, and will hit the course with Se Ri Pak at 7:34 a.m.

Complete Round 2 pairings and tee times are available here.

The wind proved the biggest opponent for the golfers on the opening day of the 54-hole, $1.5 million purse tournament.

"The conditions were tough, and you could see from the morning round that no one was really shooting under par," said Cristie Kerr, who shot 2-under. "I kind of knew to just hang in there. There would be some birdie opportunities."

Scores were higher than in past years on the Bay Course at the Seaview Dolce Resort, and Lindsey Wright said the winds were drying out the greens.

"On 17, the guys were coming out, hosing the greens off," said, who also shot 2-under. " ... (It) was really nice this morning. But then, as the day goes on, it kind of slowed down a little bit.

"From start to finish, (it was tough with the wind) but you expect that in these conditions. It's not an easy golf course."

But Shin made it look easy, particularly when she birdied on the second hole, regarded as one of the toughest on the course.

"I was practicing on Monday and Tuesday, and the second hole was into the breeze," Shin said. "It was a really strong hole. So when I was standing on the tee today, it was a little bit down breeze. So maybe I hit with a short club, and I hit a 7-iron out there, great hit and I made a great birdie."