'Super hard.' What LPGA players think of Maketewah at Kroger QCC

BOND HILL − The LPGA's venue change for the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G has come with a new set of challenges this year. The players noticed it immediately through the opening rounds of the event. After two years, and warmer weather, at TPC River's Bend in Maineville, the Kroger Queen City Championship moved this season to historic Maketewah Country Club , a classic Donald Ross design that is equal parts challenging and prestigious.

By the end of the first round on Thursday, May 14, the numbers alone told the story. More: LPGA live leaderboard from Round 2 of Kroger Queen City Championship Last September in Maineville, 92 players finished the first round under par and seven golfers shot 6-under or better (including a 9-under opening round, which tied for the tournament record). On Thursday at Maketewah, just 27 players broke par.

Nobody went lower than 4-under with three golfers sharing the clubhouse lead. "It's a super hard golf course," first-round co-leader Chella Choi said after posting a 66. More: Former Xavier golf teammates reunite at LPGA Queen City Championship More: Nelly Korda-Jeeno Thitikul rivalry takes center stage at Kroger QCC That sentiment echoed across the leaderboard during a brisk, windy opening day that featured thick rough, firm fairways and difficult pin locations on Maketewah's undulated poa annua greens.

"It's hard to hit the fairway," said Lilia Vu, who opened with a 67. "Sometimes, you just need a little bit of luck out there. " The venue and calendar change has, at least early on, transformed the championship from a birdie fest into a survival test.