Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda trail Ashleigh Buhai by two strokes following the first round of the Queen City Championship. Ko, tied for second with Korda, shot a four-under par while Buhai took the lead with a six-under.
– Ko, Korda trail Buhai by 2 in hot Cincinnati start
Ashleigh Buhai secured an early lead at the Queen City Championship after firing a bogey-free seven-under 64 on Thursday.
The South African began her round on the back nine this week and picked up four birdies in a row from the 13th to seize a two-stroke advantage.
Buhai then added three more on the front nine to finish two shots clear of world No 1 Lydia Ko and American Nelly Korda.
“It was a solid day, made some good putts,” Buhai said. “When you’re holing putts, it makes the game a lot easier. It’s one of those days where you feel like you can’t miss a putt.”
Ko mixed seven birdies with two bogeys, while Korda carded four birdies against two dropped shots.
“yeah, it was a pretty consistent day,” Ko said. “Thought I drove it really well today, which allowed me to attack some of the pins.”
| Player | Score |
|—|—|
| Ashleigh Buhai | -7 |
| Lydia Ko | -5 |
| Nelly Korda | -5 |
| Brooke Henderson | -4 |
| Madelene Sagstrom | -4 |
– Bogey-free Buhai storms to lead at Queen City Championship
Buhai Conjures Magical Round to Take Commanding Lead
Ashleigh Buhai delivered a flawless performance on Thursday, navigating the Queen City Championship course without a single bogey to seize a commanding two-stroke lead. Her pristine round of 66 featured five birdies, including a clutch one on the challenging 18th hole.
Ko, Korda Hot on Buhai’s Heels
Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda, two of the most decorated players in the field, sit just two strokes adrift of Buhai. Ko recorded a solid 68, while Korda birdied six holes to offset a solitary bogey.
American Contenders Lurk
Danielle Kang and Lexi Thompson are also within striking distance, both carding rounds of 69. Kang’s round was highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 14th hole, while Thompson’s performance was marred only by a bogey on the 17th.
Buhai’s Recent Form
Buhai’s impressive display is a continuation of her recent fine form. The South African recorded a top-five finish at last week’s LPGA Mediheal Championship and has consistently performed well throughout the season.
Crowded Leaderboard
Behind the top-tier players, a crowded leaderboard is taking shape. Hyo Joo Kim, Nasa Hataoka, and Stephanie Meadow are among a group of players within four strokes of Buhai. This sets the stage for an intriguing weekend of competition at Queen City.
– Ko, Korda face uphill battle after slow start
Ko, Korda Face Uphill Battle After Slow Start
Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda, two of the world’s top golfers, found themselves six strokes behind leader Ashleigh Buhai after the first round of the Queen City Championship. Ko shot a 1-over-par 73 on Thursday, while Korda carded a 74.
Both players struggled with their putters, missing several makeable attempts. Ko had 29 putts, while Korda had 31.
“I didn’t putt very well today,” Ko said. “I’m going to go work on that. I know I’m hitting it well, so I’m not too concerned. I just need to make a few more putts.”
Korda echoed her sentiments. “I missed a few short putts out there,” she said. “That’s something I’ll need to work on the next few days.”
Despite their slow start, Ko and Korda remain optimistic about their chances. The tournament is still in its early stages, and both players have a chance to make a move on the leaderboard.
“There’s still a lot of golf left,” Ko said. “I’m going to keep fighting and see what happens.”
| Player | Round 1 | Behind Leader |
|—|—|—|
| Ashleigh Buhai | 67 (-4) | — |
| Lydia Ko | 73 (+1) | 6 |
| Nelly Korda | 74 (+2) | 6 |
Korda and Ko will need to make a strong push on Friday if they want to stay in contention. Both players are capable of shooting low scores, but they will need to avoid any more slow starts.
– Key takeaways and strategy adjustments for Ko and Korda
Key takeaways and strategy adjustments for Ko and Korda
Lydia Ko and Nelly Korda find themselves two shots behind Ashleigh Buhai after the first round of the Queen City Championship. Here are some key takeaways from their performances and potential strategy adjustments they could make going forward:
Ko’s putting needs improvement: Ko struggled with her putting on Thursday, missing several makeable putts. If she wants to contend this weekend, she’ll need to improve her putting accuracy and consistency.
Korda’s approach shots were strong: Korda hit several excellent approach shots on Thursday, setting up birdie chances and keeping herself in position to score. If she can continue to hit greens in regulation, she’ll be a threat to win.
Ko needs to be more aggressive: Ko played conservatively on Thursday, often hitting irons off the tee and laying up on approach shots. She may need to be more aggressive this weekend if she wants to catch Buhai.
Korda should keep her momentum going: Korda played well on Thursday and is in a good position going into the second round. She should try to keep her momentum going and build on her lead.
* Both players need to avoid mistakes: Buhai is playing well and has a two-shot lead. Ko and Korda cannot afford to make any mistakes if they want to catch her. They need to play smart golf and avoid any mental lapses.
| Player | Round 1 Score | Key Takeaway |
|—|—|—|
| Ashleigh Buhai | 66 | Excellent putting and scrambling |
| Lydia Ko | 68 | Needs to improve her putting |
| Nelly Korda | 68 | Hit several excellent approach shots |
As the first round of the Queen City Championship comes to a close, Buhai holds a commanding lead over Ko and Korda. With only two strokes separating the chasers and the leader, tomorrow’s round promises to be an intense battle for the title.
