Hye Jin Choi Fires Opening 64 to Seize Buick LPGA Shanghai Lead

Hye Jin Choi produced the round of the day to grab the first-round lead at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, the opening event of the LPGA Tour's four-tournament fall Asia swing. The South Korean fired an 8-under-par 64 at Sheshan International Golf Club to sit three shots clear of Carlota Ciganda, whose 67 left her alone in second. A group at 4 under — including Grace Kim, Rio Takeda, Chanettee Wannasaen and hometown favorite Ruoning Yin — sits a further shot back. Choi, ranked among the world's top 30 and listed at 25-to-1 in the pre-tournament market, took command of the $3.2 million event from the outset, while defending champion Jeeno Thitikul — winner of last year's edition in a playoff over Minami Katsu — could only manage a 69 to finish at 3 under, five off the pace. The field is loaded for the season-ending stretch, with world No. 2 Thitikul arriving red-hot after a fourth LPGA win of the year, former world No. 1 Yin drawing home crowds, and only six events remaining before the CME Tour Championship. Shanghai's tight scoring suggests Choi's lead will face serious pressure when the second round tees off on Friday.