Ariya Jutanugarn opened with a 6-under par 66 to take a one-shot lead after day one of the inaugural Buick LPGA Shanghai.
The LPGA’s leader in scoring average, official money, Rolex Player of the Year and Race to the CME Globe points will attempt to add a fourth win in 2018 and 11th overall LPGA victory to her resume this week.
“I always have so much fun when I play in Asia,” Jutanugarn said. “Really looking forward to come back here again. What the key I think just not expect anything. Just go out have fun and enjoy everything.”
American Danielle Kang, who finished T3 last week, along with Korea’s Sei Young Kim, were one shot off the pace at 5-under par.
“Today’s round went very smooth,” Kang said. “Coming off a very good momentum after last week and I’ve been hitting the ball really well, playing great. Just been trusting my game and just kept giving myself birdie chances. They kept rolling in. Excited for this week.”
A logjam of six players were 4-under par, headlined by American veteran Paula Creamer, who’s playing on a sponsor invitation this week, and 17-year-old Chinese star Wenbo Liu.
2018 Buick LPGA Shanghai
Round One: Top 5 Scorers
1. Ariya Jutanugarn -6
2. Danielle Kang -5
2. Sei Young Kim -5
4. Paula Creamer -4
4. Wenbo Liu -4
4. Ryann O’Toole -4
4. Wenbo Liu -4
4. Lydia Ko -4
4. Lizette Salas -4
4. Minjee Lee -4
