Choe Hye-jin leads Buick LPGA Shanghai by three shots after opening round

Choe Hye-jin (최혜진) opened the Buick LPGA Shanghai with eight birdies and no bogeys on October 15 to take a three-stroke lead over Spain's Carlota Ciganda. Yonhap, Asia Economy, Korea Economic Daily and Chosun Ilbo reported an eight-under-par 64 at the par-72 Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai. Ciganda shot a five-under 67. Newsis also reported eight under par and a three-shot advantage, but gave Choe's stroke total as 62 rather than 64. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]

Starting at the 10th hole, Choe collected four birdies over her opening nine holes before adding four in succession from the second through fifth. Chosun Ilbo reported that she missed six greens but needed only 22 putts. After the round, she said her physical condition had not been perfect, but long putts fell and she saved par in difficult situations on a demanding course. [ 1 , 3 , 5 ]

Choe made her LPGA Tour debut in 2022 and is still looking for her first victory on the circuit. Korea Economic Daily reported that she had played 123 tournaments before this event, recording four runner-up finishes, five third places and 33 top-10 results. The newspaper said she had four top-10 finishes in 22 events this season and stood 15th in the CME Globe points standings. [ 2 ]

Yonhap reported that Yang Hui-yeong (양희영) shot a three-under 69 to join defending champion Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand and other players in a tie for seventh. World No. 1 Nelly Korda and No. 3 Yu Hae-ran (유해란) were not participating. Asia Economy listed Rio Takeda, Yin Ruoning and Grace Kim among the players tied for third at four under par. [ 1 , 3 ]