Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul overcame an early double bogey to finish with the first-round lead at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship on Thursday in Frisco, Texas.
Thitikul shot a 4-under-par 68 at Fields Ranch East to hold a one-stroke edge over Australia’s Minjee Lee.
Yealimi Noh, South Korea’s Somi Lee and Haeran Ryu and Japan’s Rio Takeda are tied for third at 70.
A nine-way tie for seventh place at 71 features Auston Kim, Angel Yin, Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien, Japan’s Yuna Nishimura and Chisato Iwai and South Korea’s In Gee Chun, Youmin Hwang, Shinsil Bang and Kumkang Park.
The event is the third of the year’s five LPGA majors.
Thitikul double-bogeyed the par-4 fifth hole and was 2 over par through six holes. She then went on a tear, birdieing five of the next seven holes, and she added another birdie at No. 17 while completing a bogey-free back nine.
“I think my putter went really well today,” Thitikul said. “You know, like in the front nine we had a lot of breeze going and more than the back nine, but (I made putts at) 7, 8, 9, which boost the confidence up making the turn to the back nine.”
Thitikul earned her fifth career LPGA victory last month at the Mizuho Americas Open after capturing the Tour Championship in November.
She credited her experience with helping her shake off the double bogey.
“I think like all the majors that I have told myself (to) just really be patient,” she said. “I definitely know that I going to miss a shot, and I have. …
“I really told myself just be patient and focused on the next shot, because (in the) majors you (are) going to miss anyway. What a way to bounce back. It’s more important.”
Minjee Lee produced an eventful round that included seven birdies and five bogeys — including bogeys at No. 1 and No. 18.
She said of the start of her pursuit of a third major title, “Obviously there will be bogeys, but I think for me, I just try to stay patient. If I make a bogey, I just try it back it up with something better than that.
“Yeah, can’t get ahead of yourself, especially in this kind of weather. I think it’s more just the heat that’s draining your focus, so it’s going to be a big factor come the next few days.”
World No. 1 Nelly Korda is tied for 16th at 72.
Japan’s Mao Saigo, the winner of the year’s first major, the Chevron Championship, is tied for 26th at 73. Sweden’s Maja Stark, who captured the U.S. Open title earlier this month, shot a 75, tied for 58th.
–Field Level Media
