Thitikul Falters in LPGA Singapore Opener; Henderson Secures T14 Spot
In the opening round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship in Singapore, top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul faced a challenging day. She recorded a 1-over 73, placing her seven strokes behind the leader. This event marks a significant moment following her recent victory in Thailand.
Leading Players in the Championship
Auston Kim emerged as the leader after an impressive round of 66. She birdied two of her last three holes, securing a one-stroke advantage over Yan Liu from China. Here are details about the top players:
- Auston Kim: 66, leads by one stroke
- Yan Liu: 67, in second place
- Five Tied Players: All shot 68, including No. 12-ranked Haeran Ryu
- Lydia Ko: Defending champion, scored 70
- Brooke Henderson: Canadian player, shot a two-under 70 with five birdies
Thitikul and Other Top Ranked Players
Thitikul was not alone in her struggles. Charley Hull and Minjee Lee, ranked third and fourth respectively, also fell short of their expectations, each shooting 72. The only member of the top ten not participating in this tournament is Nelly Korda.
Upcoming Events in the LPGA
This tournament is the second of three events during the LPGA’s early year Asian swing. The final stop will take place next week at Hainan Island, China. Players are eager to improve their standings and performance as the season progresses.
As golfers assess their strategies, mental coaching is becoming increasingly critical. Kim highlighted the changes made to her game since last year, showing growth in her approach to competition.
