PHOENIX – Sei Young Kim got off to a painful start in defense of her title Thursday at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup.
Kim was stung by a bee in the lower palm of her right hand on the first hole as she made the turn in the first round.
The bee sting didn’t slow her down, as she made birdies at four of the final eight holes to shoot 5-under-par 67. She won last year with an LPGA record 27-under-par total, equaling Annika Sorenstam’s mark.
“I felt a little pain, but I kept some ice on it,” Kim said. “It was weird.”
Lydia Ko, who was playing with Kim, advised Kim to call for help and treatment.
“I called a rules official, and they got me some medicine,” Kim said. “It was better.”
Kim said the sting bothered her only for two holes before the pain went away.
