BANGKOK — World number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand fired a bogey-free four-under-par 68 to sit three shots off the lead after the first round of the LPGA Thailand.
Japan’s Nasa Hataoka, China’s Lin Xiyu and Anna Nordqvist from Sweden were among five players at the top of the leaderboard at Siam Country Club Pattaya.
American Jennifer Kupcho and local hope Jaravee Boonchant — a rookie ranked 238 in the world — were the other two.
New Zealander Ko came into the $1.7-million vent in ominous form.
The Seoul-born 25-year-old has won three events in her last four starts. She is also newly married.
Ko, who carded four birdies, was in a share of 17th alongside South Korea’s former world number one Ko Jin-young and current world number two Nelly Korda.
Also in 17th after a blemish-free 68 was last year’s winner Moriya Jutanugarn, the first Thai to claim victory in the tournament.
She was thrilled to be playing in front of an enthusiastic home crowd after the Covid pandemic.
“We don’t have that (many fans) like really the last two years, and this is the first time since we came back like fully 100 per cent,” she said according to AFP.
Kupcho carded five birdies and an eagle for her opening 65 and a share of the lead.
She said she felt very much at home, having finished in a tie for sixth at the same event in Thailand last year.
“I think I’m really comfortable with this place. I played really well last year,” the 25-year-old American said.
American Lilia Vu, Maja Stark from Sweden and South Korea’s Jenny Shin were all one shot off the lead.
With her in the lead were 2014 champion Anna Nordquist of Sweden, six-time USLPGA Tour winner Nasa Hataoko of Japan, local hope and tour rookie Jaravee Boonchant, and last year’s runner-up, Lin Xiyu of China.
Three-time major winner Nordquist birdied her first hole, the 10th, and had eight in all against a lone bogey on the fourth.
Hataoka bogeyed the 13th but finished her round with four consecutive birdies.
Boonchant, who earned her tour card through Q-School last December, also started on the 10th and birdied her first two holes. She sparked Thai fans’ hopes for a local victor after former world No, 1 Ariya Jutanugarn won in 2021.
“Amazing,” Boonchant said of her day.
Lin started on the back nine and birdied six holes coming in for her 65. Last year, she opened with a 64 and reeled off 66s before losing to Nanna Koerstz Madsen of Denmark on extra holes. Koerstz Madsen has begun her title defense at 1 over.
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