Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen produced a flawless nine-under 63 to grab a two-shot lead after the opening round of the LPGA Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Thursday.
The two-time LPGA winner holed out with a 9-iron for eagle at the par-four 10th and added seven birdies in a bogey-free round at TPC River’s Bend.
“After I hit, I just felt like, ‘Oh, this one is going to be close to the pin,’” the 21-year-old said. “I didn’t expect it was going to roll to the pin!”
American Gigi Stoll, chasing her first LPGA title, shot a seven-under 65. She eagled the par-five 11th, dropped a shot at the 17th, and closed with a birdie to finish alone in second.
Six players carded 66 to share third, including South Korea’s Kim Sei-young, Kim A-lim and Park Kum-kang, Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, Taiwan’s Chien Peiyun, and American Jenny Bae. Kim A-lim eagled the 18th to highlight her round.
World No 2 Nelly Korda opened with a five-under 67 to sit in a tie for ninth with Australia’s Gabriella Ruffels, the Philippines’ Bianca Pagdanganan and Spain’s Julia Lopez Ramirez.
World No 1 Jeeno Thitikul started with a three-under 69, while defending champion Lydia Ko carded a one-under 70.
South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai carded a 72, mixing four birdies with several dropped shots in a round.
© Agence France-Presse
Photo: Dylan Buell/Getty Images
