Nasa Hataoka and Chanettee Wannasaen shared the lead after the first round of the LPGA Thailand, the opening event of a three-week Asian tour. The 27-year-old Japanese golfer, Nasa Hataoka, impressed with a 7-under 65 score, matching the Thai player's performance. Hataoka, a former runner-up at the U.S. Women's Open, has an impressive record, having won five individual LPGA tournaments and the International Crown team event twice.
Hataoka attributed her strong performance to her accurate tee and iron shots, which created numerous birdie opportunities. Meanwhile, Gemma Dryburgh, who started her round with an eagle and three birdies, finished one stroke behind with a 66, tied with Somi Lee and Hye-Jin Choi. The top-ranked players, Jeeno Thitikul and Lydia Ko, were in a group of 10 players tied for sixth place with a score of 67. Defending champion Angel Yin had a 69.
Thitikul, who began playing in her home LPGA tournament in Thailand at 14, expressed disbelief at the rapid passage of time. She reflected on her journey from her early days to her current status. However, it's worth noting that Nelly Korda, who won the LPGA's season-opening Tournament of Champions, is not participating in the Asian tour this year, skipping the early Asia swing for the third consecutive year.
