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Hye-Jin Choi takes first-round lead at Buick LPGA Shanghai

A bogey-free 64 put Choi three strokes ahead of Carlota Ciganda as the LPGA’s late-season Asian swing began at Sheshan Golf Club.

By TSP Staff
Hye-Jin Choi holds a club beside her caddie at the eighth tee during the first round in Shanghai.
Hye-Jin Choi and her caddie at the eighth tee during the first round at Sheshan Golf Club on October 15, 2026. · Credit: Getty Images / LPGA

Hye-Jin Choi shot an 8-under-par 64 Thursday to take a three-stroke lead after the opening round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai at Sheshan Golf Club.

Choi made eight birdies without a bogey, including four in a row from the second through fifth holes after starting on the back nine, SBS reported. The South Korean is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory.

Carlota Ciganda was alone in second at 5 under after a 67. Grace Kim, Rio Takeda, Chanettee Wannasaen and Ruoning Yin were listed at 4 under on the official leaderboard.

Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul opened with a 69, tied for seventh. Thitikul won this tournament in a five-hole playoff last year and added the LOTTE Championship earlier this month, The Associated Press reported.

This is the Shanghai event’s first edition at Sheshan, the former World Golf Championships venue. It begins a four-event Asian swing, with tournaments in South Korea, Malaysia and Japan following over the next three weeks.

Sources and notes

  1. Opening-round scores checked against the LPGA leaderboard and AP report. Choi’s scoring sequence was also reported by SBS.