By: Max Bechtoldt
Some of the “weaker field” leaderboards can sometimes be disappointing, with few star players in contention. That doesn’t appear to be the case at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in 2024 though, as round one has provided a solid leaderboard.
U.S. Women’s Open breakout Arpichaya Yubol is leading at -10 after an opening round 61, tying the mark for best single-round score of the year. Jenny Shin sits two back and Narin An back at -7.
That gives way to a group of seven players at -6, which includes some of the stars of the LPGA Tour.
Megan Khang, needing a good couple of weeks to qualify for the United States Olympic team is in that group. Khang had a front nine with only one par, having six birdies with two bogeys. Khang hit every fairway and 14 greens.
Nasa Hataoka, who could also use some good rounds to hold off Ayaka Furue for the second Japanese Olympic spot, also is in that fourth-place log jam. She was also nearly flawless with her ball striking hitting 13 fairways and 14 greens.
Brittany Lincicome, looking for her first win since 2018, is in contention at -6 as well. Lincicome had a clean scorecard, with no bogeys and six birdies.
The group at -5 is just as strong, featuring Full Swing star, amateur Rachel Kuehn, Brooke Henderson, Hinako Shibuno and Yealimi Noh.
Round two of three kicks off tomorrow, with a host of the biggest stars in the field in heavy contention.
