SHANGHAI – Maja Stark and Wichanee Meechai each shot a 6-under 66 in the first round on Thursday at the Buick LPGA Shanghai as the tour returned to China following the COVID-19 pandemic. He was in the lead with a two-stroke difference.
Stark was one of three rookies on the European team who stayed on alongside the American team at last month’s Solheim Cup in Spain, playing four of the first six holes at the Nanaka Garden Golf Club course. I got a birdie. Meechai overcame a bogey on the first hole and finished strong with two birdies.
“Playing in the Solheim Cup gave me a lot of confidence,” said Stark, who hit 11 of 14 fairways, 16 of 18 greens and made 28 putts. “The whole continent expects you to play well.”
Although Meechai made her debut at this event, she is familiar with the Nanchu course, having played on the China Tour and hosted an event on the Ladies European Tour.
Meechai, a native of Thailand, said, “I played on the China tour for three years and have to speak Chinese, so I feel like I’m Chinese now…and it feels like home.”
Americans Daniel Kang, Lauren Coughlin and Alison Lee, and Chinese players Danlin Cai and Li Shuying Li made it into the group in 68th place and tied for third in the 10-way.
Kang is aiming for his third consecutive victory in Shanghai following 2018 and 2019. He made three birdies in the first eight holes.
“There’s a lot of tricky grass around the greens, so you have to really hit the ball with a wedge,” Kang said. “My caddy really helped me stay in the moment. He was like, ‘It’s only Thursday.’ Stop looking at leaderboards. We will get you where you need to end up. ”
The field, representing 21 countries, includes the top two women in the world rankings, Lilia Vu (72nd on Thursday) and Women’s PGA Champion Ruoning Ying, who shot 71.
South Korean-born New Zealander Lydia Ko scored 74 points.
The 81-player uncut field will include 62 players from the LPGA Tour, 15 from the China Women’s PGA and four players with sponsor exemptions. The event marks the beginning of the Asian Swing, which consists of four tournaments and will later be held in South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.
