Ayaka Furue, A Lim Kim, and Auston Kim all shot impressive 4-under 68s on Thursday to top the leaderboard after the first round of the Blue Bay LPGA tournament. The event is taking place on China’s southern island of Hainan.
World No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul is just one stroke behind the leaders, tied with seven other players at 3-under par. The competition is tight, with 12 more players only two shots off the lead after carding 70s in the opening round.
China’s own Ruoning Yin, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, posted an even-par 72 in front of enthusiastic home supporters. Defending champion Bailey Tardy struggled on the first day, finishing with a 3-over 75, leaving her seven shots behind the leaders.
With such a crowded leaderboard, the next rounds promise intense competition as players vie for the title at one of the LPGA Tour’s most scenic venues.
