<p>NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nevada — Danielle Kang and Inbee Park made themselves right at home at Shadow Creek in the Bank of Hope LPGA Match Play.</p>
<p>Kang, a Las Vegas resident and ambassador for course owner MGM Resorts, routed Albane Valenzuela 7 and 6 on Wednesday in the most-lopsided match to start group play. Park, also an area resident, got up-and-down for birdie to win the par-5 18th to tie Jennifer Chang.</p>
<p>“I felt right at home,” Kang said. “This is my home golf course. I know where to hit it, where to miss it. I think that’s a big advantage that I have, knowing the reads, how the greens break. I just had so much fun out there. I had a lot of people cheering me on."</p>
<p>The second-ranked Park rallied to avoid an opening loss in the final event before the U.S. Women’s Open next week at Olympic in San Francisco.</p>
<p>“I was very satisfied how I played the last hole,” Park said. “Overall, play today was not as good as what I should have played. Made few mistakes out there. I’m trying to cancel that out for next two days, and hopefully I can get through.”</p>
<p>The tournament is the LPGA Tour’s first match play event since the 2017 Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico.</p>
<p>“Feels just really weird playing in the hometown and just waking up on your own bed and just going to the tournament,” Park said. “It’s something I’ve never done before.”</p>
<p>Park and Chang are in a four-player group with Celine Boutier and Gaby Lopez. Boutier beat Lopez 4 and 2 to take the early lead for a spot in the final 16. In the sixth-ranked Kang’s pod, Lizette Salas beat Madelene Sagstrom 5 and 4.</p>
<p>Top-ranked Jin Young Ko edged Natalie Gulbis 4 and 2. Gulbis got into the field as sponsor exemption replacement for Michelle Wie West.</p>
<p>“My swing feel wasn’t good, so I try to find which feel is better for my swing,” Ko said. “But I found a little bit No. 14 or 15. I had great round with Natalie.”</p>
<p>Caroline Masson kept pace in the group, beating Anna Nordqvist 3 and 2.</p>
<p>Stacy Lewis beat Mi Hyang Lee 5 and 4.</p>
<p>“I guess strangest part is that there is not a whole lot of people watching,” Lewis said. “I’m used to match play with thousands of people around, so that part was a little strange. But this golf course is growing on me the more I play it. I feel like it’s a ball-striker’s course. If you can really think your way around you can play pretty well.”</p>
<p>She had a message for the players who skipped the event.</p>
<p>“They’re really taking care of us this week,” Lewis said. “Girls that aren’t here, you should want to be here. This is such a cool week with everything they’re doing for us. The golf course is absolutely perfect.”</p>
<p>In the other match in Lewis’ group, ANA Inspiration winner Patty Tavatanakit tied Sarah Kemp.</p>
<p>Third-ranked Sei Young Kim won the 18th with a par to tie Ayako Uehara.</p>
<p>Fifth-ranked Brooke Henderson fell 1 up to Jenny Coleman.</p>
