Nasa Hataoka of Japan has shot six-under 66 and enjoys a one-shot lead over LPGA player of the year Jeeno Thitikul, Chanettee Wannasaen, Lottie Woad and Linn Grant following the first round of the season-opening Tournament of Champions.
Hataoka played the back nine at a chilly Lake Nona Golf & Country Club in Orlando, Florida in four under to pick up where she left off at the end of last season. She won the Japan Classic in a playoff with Yuna Araki in November for her first LPGA victory in nearly three years.
"I think my [was] putting really good today, so that's why shoot 66," Hataoka said.
"So, yeah, I'm happy with that result."
Hataoka, 27, has nine top-10 finishes at the LPGA's five majors. She said becoming a major champion and winning more than two tournaments were her goals for the season.
Thitikul is also in search of her first major title after some near-misses in 2025.
The 22-year-old is coming off not just her best season but one of the best in LGPA history.
"I don't even know how," Thitikul said of how she brings a fresh mentality into 2026.
She won the the Tour Championship in November for her third win of the year, finished second at The Evian Championship and fourth at the Women's PGA Championship, and the Thai star ended up with the lowest scoring averaging in the tour's 75-year history.
Thitikul had six birdies and a bogey on Thursday to once again climb the leaderboard in the 72-hole no cut tournament open to LPGA winners from the past two seasons.
Wannasaen had seven birdies during her round of 67, Grant birdied her last two holes to match them at five under and Woad reached six under before a bogey at the par-4 finishing hole dropped her back.
World No.2 Nelly Korda was joined by Amy Yang another shot back.
The highlight for Korda, who finished second at the Tournament of Champions last year, came on the 406-yard, par-4 seventh. Her approach from the middle of the fairway bounced onto the green, rolled toward the hole and bounced off the flagstick, leaving her a tap-in birdie. Korda eventually reached six under before a couple of late bogeys left her with a round of 68.
Defending champion A Lim Kim was in a group at three under that included Lydia Ko and Ingrid Lindblad.
There are no Australians in the 39-player field.
With Reuters.
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