(Photo credit score: Erik Williams-Imagn Images)
Nasa Hataoka of Japan racked up seven birdies to open the LPGA season in model, setting the first-round lead on the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions on Thursday in Orlando, Fla.
Hataoka rolled in consecutive birdies at Nos. 10-11 and 15-16 at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club to move to the clubhouse with a 6-under-par 66. A star-studded quartet is one stroke again at 5-under 67: World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, countrywoman Chanettee Wannasaen, English phenom Lottie Woad and Sweden’s Linn Grant.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda and South Korea’s Amy Yang are one other shot again at 4-under 68.
Thirty-nine gamers had been invited to the season opener, a 72-hole occasion with out a lower. They are enjoying alongside 44 amateurs enjoying in a separate competitors with a Modified Stableford scoring format. Retired tennis professional Mardy Fish, a four-time winner of the movie star division, has the early four-point lead there after scoring a 39.
Hataoka birdied two par-3 holes on the entrance 9 earlier than taking her solely bogey of the spherical on the par-4 seventh gap. Of her 4 birdies coming in, the par-5 eleventh noticed her gap a prolonged putt from the perimeter.
‘I feel my placing actually good at present, in order that’s why shoot 66,’ Hataoka mentioned. ‘So, yeah, I’m pleased with that outcome.
Hataoka, 27, has 9 top-10 finishes on the LPGA’s 5 majors. She mentioned changing into a serious champion and successful greater than two tournaments had been her targets for the season.
Thitikul, 22, can be searching for her first main title after some near-misses in 2025. She did win her second straight CME Group Tour Championship in November, so she got here into this season on that top.
‘I do not even understand how,’ Thitikul mentioned of how she brings a recent mentality into 2026. ‘I nonetheless attempting to do, after which I feel possibly it’s important to be grounded after which it’s important to, you already know, put your self the place you need it extra and the place you — you already know, aiming for extra.’
Woad, additionally 22, burst on the scene final July when she gained the Women’s Irish Open as an novice and the Women’s Scottish Open three weeks later in her first begin as an expert.
Woad had the lead thanks to 6 birdies by 14 holes however made her solely bogey of the day at No. 18.
‘(The course) undoubtedly challenges you,’ Woad mentioned. ‘I imply, the follow days had been fairly chilly as effectively, so it performed a bit of bit simpler at present, like a bit softer greens I feel with the warmth. Because after I was enjoying the follow rounds I used to be like, ‘I do not understand how I’m going to cease it on this inexperienced.’
Defending champion A Lim Kim of South Korea opened with a 3-under 69, as did New Zealand star Lydia Ko.
–Field Level Media