Bold opening: A top-ranked star falters early—Jeeno Thitikul slips seven shots behind the leader in Singapore.
Associated Press
Feb 26, 2026, 11:58 AM ET
SINGAPORE — Jeeno Thitikul, the world’s No. 1, endured a tough start to the HSBC Women’s World Championship, carding a 1-over 73 in Thursday’s opening round and sitting seven strokes back of the lead.
Thitikul, who captured last week’s event in her native Thailand, is among nine of the top 10 players who entered the Singapore LPGA stop held at Sentosa Golf Club on the Tanjong course.
Auston Kim of the United States grabbed a late edge with a birdied run on her final three holes to post 66, giving her a one-shot cushion over China’s Yan Liu. Five players were tied for third at 68, among them Haeran Ryu, ranked No. 12.
Defending champion Lydia Ko and Brooke Henderson both finished with 70.
Kim reflected on her improvement, noting a strong mental game and adjustments since last year. “It obviously felt great to score well, but I think I can handle things a lot better now,” she said. “I’ve been talking with my mental coach and focusing on what I can control.”
Other high-ranked players who are well off the pace include third-ranked Charley Hull and fourth-ranked Minjee Lee, each shooting 72.
No. 2-ranked Nelly Korda is the only top-10 player not in Singapore this week. The tournament marks the second of three stops on the LPGA’s early-year Asian swing, with the final event slated for next week on Hainan Island, China.
And here’s the takeaway you might miss: even the cream of the crop can stumble out of the gate, reminding us that golf’s narrative is rarely a straight line. What adjustments would you implement if you were in a similar position—tune your mental game, shift practice focus, or embrace a fresh approach to course strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which element you’d prioritize if you found yourself seven shots behind after the first round.
