The opening round of the Chevron Championship witnessed an impressive display of skill as South Korea’s Ryu Hae-ran and China’s Liu Yan soared to the top of the leaderboard with flawless bogey-free rounds of 7-under 65. The first major of the LPGA season was interrupted late on Thursday by an approaching storm at The Club at Carlton Woods, leaving 24 players with unfinished rounds.
Defending champion Nelly Korda faced unexpected hurdles in her quest to defend her title, concluding the day with a challenging 5-over 77. Korda, who captivated fans last year with five consecutive LPGA victories, found herself struggling early, recording bogeys on four straight holes and sitting at 4-over par after just six holes. She added two more bogeys on the back nine and now faces an uphill battle to make the cut.
Meanwhile, Ryu and Liu showcased remarkable performances. Ryu burst out of the gate, securing five birdies in her first ten holes and capping her round with a seventh birdie on her final hole. “I changed my putter midway through last week’s tournament, and it’s really working for me,” Ryu explained. “I feel much more comfortable on the greens.”
Liu, striving for her first LPGA Tour victory, found her groove on the back nine, notching four birdies in a five-hole stretch and finishing strong with a birdie to tie for the lead. “I fixed my driver this week, and it feels very solid,” Liu reflected, pleased with the adjustments she made after last week’s performance off the tee.
Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea was hot on their heels but bogeyed the 18th hole, finishing the round with a solid 67.
Korda, despite starting the season with two top-10 finishes, acknowledged she hasn’t matched the sharpness of her previous year when she claimed seven titles and earned the Rolex Player of the Year honor. Demonstrating determination, she said, “I’m going to go and practice and see where it takes me,” as she looks to rebound in the upcoming rounds.
As the Chevron Championship continues, excitement builds to see if Ryu and Liu can maintain their momentum and if Korda can mount a comeback. Golf fans around the world will be eagerly watching as the competition unfolds.
