Browsing: LPGA

SHANGHAI — Minami Katsu holed a long putt on the 18th to finish with a course record 11-under 61 on Friday and take a two-shot lead at the halfway point of the LPGA’s Shanghai tournament.

Katsu had six birdies on the front nine and, after a bogey at the par-4 10th, she finished with six more birdies at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

The 27-year-old Japanese player moved to 13-under 131 after two rounds in search of her first victory on the tour.

“It was pretty flawless round — couple luckies I think but really good round overall,†Katsu said. “My career-best was 10 under, so new (personal) record today.â€

Katsu said she wasn’t thinking about any records as she carded 12 birdies, and just concentrated on the basics. She lowered by one stroke the record here for 18 holes set by Sei Young Kim last year.

“Honestly I’m very happy with the record that I made today,†she said. “Obviously we still got two more days to play, so probably no celebration. I’ll try to keep it simple.â€

Katsu also set the 36-hole scoring record.

Ina Yoon had 68 on Friday and was in second place at 11 under, a shot ahead of Americans Jenny Bae and Lindy Duncan (67).

Bae was vying for the lead at 13 under in the last group going into the 18th but her round unraveled at the finish.

She hit into a bunker, took a drop in the hope of getting a better lie and then hit her next shot into the water. Bae finished with a triple-bogey 7 and settled for 69. Her mixed second round contained eight birdies, a pair of bogeys and the triple bogey.

Overnight leader Arpichaya Yubol had a 71 and was in a tie for fifth at 9 under with Somi Lee (67) and Jeeno Thitikul (70).

The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia. There’s two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and other tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.

Last week, Youmin Hwang extended the incredible streak on the LPGA of having different winners at each of the 25 official tournaments this year. Hwang was the sixth player from South Korea to win on the LPGA this year.

Oct 10, 2025, 06:03 AM ET

SHANGHAI — Minami Katsu holed a long putt on the 18th to finish with a course record 11-under 61 on Friday and take a two-shot lead at the halfway point of the LPGA’s Shanghai tournament.

Katsu had six birdies on the front nine and, after a bogey at the par-4 10th, she finished with six more birdies at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

The 27-year-old Japanese player moved to 13-under 131 after two rounds in search of her first victory on the tour.

“It was pretty flawless round — couple luckies I think but really good round overall,” Katsu said. “My career-best was 10 under, so new (personal) record today.”

Katsu said she wasn’t thinking about any records as she carded 12 birdies, and just concentrated on the basics. She lowered by one stroke the course record here for 18 holes set by Sei Young Kim last year.

“Honestly I’m very happy with the record that I made today,” she said. “Obviously we still got two more days to play, so probably no celebration. I’ll try to keep it simple.”

Ina Yoon had 68 on Friday and was in second place at 11 under, a shot ahead of Americans Jenny Bae and Lindy Duncan (67).

Bae was vying for the lead at 13 under in the last group going into the 18th but her round unraveled at the finish.

She hit into a bunker, took a drop in the hope of getting a better lie and then hit her next shot into the water. Bae finished with a triple-bogey 7 and settled for 69. Her mixed second round contained eight birdies, a pair of bogeys and the triple bogey.

Overnight leader Arpichaya Yubol had a 71 and was in a tie for fifth at 9 under with Somi Lee (67) and Jeeno Thitikul (70).

The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia. There’s two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and other tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.

Last week, Youmin Hwang extended the incredible streak on the LPGA of having different winners at each of the 25 official tournaments this year. Hwang was the sixth player from South Korea to win on the LPGA this year.

Only a handful of pictures trickled out over social media earlier this week — not nearly enough of a sample size to understand the totality of what LPGA players were facing in Shanghai.

But then the tournament started, the broadcast cameras turned on, highlight reels cut and sent to the world. Indeed, the greens at Qizhong Garden Golf Club are in rough shape. Probably the roughest you’ve seen in your time watching pro golf this year.

The LPGA itself released this statement:

We are aware of the course conditions at the Buick LPGA Shanghai. The golf course superintendent, tournament team and the LPGA rules officials have worked diligently against extreme heat conditions this season in preparation for this week’s event. We will continue to monitor the situation and care for the course appropriately throughout the week.

They’re right about extreme heat conditions. Typical high temperatures in Shanghai in September float between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. But this year, from the last week of August through the first week of October, Shanghai saw 23 days with a high of at least 95 degrees.

What that heat has done to the greens isn’t totally clear from 6,000 miles away, but the visuals weren’t great from the first round of the event Thursday. Some areas are clearly baked dry and others show uneven surfaces. Some greens are so ravaged that it would seem difficult to find a place to cut the hole.

This is the second time in the last month the LPGA has battled damage from Mother Nature. In September, the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship was shortened from 54 holes to just 18 — leading to its cancelation — after heavy thunderstorms made the course unplayable.

The shape of this week’s greens didn’t completely deter scoring, as 57 players still shot under par. Of the handful of top performers who conducted post-round press conferences, none were asked to talk about the greens, though Minjee Lee did reference them.

“I feel like with how the greens are, the condition, I think I managed pretty well, to make, what, seven birdies,” she said.

Lee was putting a positive spin on things through 18 holes. One of her birdie looks that didn’t fall was this one, from just nine feet, which she left one foot short.

SHANGHAI — Arpichaya Yubol shot a bogey-free 8-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the LPGA’s Shanghai tournament.

The Thai player, whose career-best round is a 61, had four birdies on each of the front and back nines at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club.

Minjee Lee, who won the Women’s PGA Championship in June for her third major title, was in a group of five a stroke behind. Jenny Shin, Jenny Bae, Jeeno Thitikul and Ina Yoon also shot 65s.

Lee said she navigated the difficult bumpy greens at Qizhong the best she could with her broomstick-style putter. Most of the greens are brown and patchy due to the extreme heat and humidity of Shanghai.

“I feel like with how the greens are, the conditions, I managed pretty well to make, what, seven birdies, so it was nice day for me,” Lee said.

Ashleigh Buhai, the 2022 Women’s British Open champion, shot 68. Defending champion Ruoning Yin had a 71.

The Shanghai event is the first of five tournaments in Asia. There’s two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and tournaments in Malaysia and Japan.

Last week, Youmin Hwang extended the incredible streak on the LPGA Tour of having different winners at each of the 25 official tournaments this year. Hwang was the sixth player from South Korea to win on tour this year.

It can’t keep going forever … right?

That’s what common sense, not to mention mathematics or years of golf history, would have you believe. And yet, another week has gone by, another LPGA tournament played, and yet another unique winner lifted the trophy.

The LPGA Tour has hosted 26 events this season and all 26 have been won by different players. This week’s winner at the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii? Sponsor invite Youmin Hwang, who isn’t even an LPGA Tour member. And she won’t be an LPGA Tour member until 2026. She elected to defer her full membership benefits to next year.

In the meantime, the streak goes on. All the way from A Lim Kim’s victory in February, through the majors season to now, eight months later. There was a Lydia Ko win, a Charley Hull win, victories from three Swedes, five Japanese players and a handful of Americans. World No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul grabbed one, as expected, but not two. She’s finished second four times, including her last two starts, trying her best to nullify this streak but finding herself barely unsuccessful.

What this streak ultimately means for the Tour is a bit of a Rorschach test. On one hand, 26 different winners shows an immense level of parity, which most sports leagues would love to see. On the other, without a clear, multi-time winner, not only do we not have a clue who should be considered the Player of the Year, but there isn’t a dominant star that places the LPGA in front of new audiences. (Coincidentally, 26 is the record for most unique winners in LPGA Tour history.)

Maybe the most stunning element of 26 different winners in 26 weeks is that Nelly Korda — last season’s 7-time winner — isn’t one of them. Korda hasn’t necessarily struggled this year; she just hasn’t played at the winning level we’ve come to expect. She admitted to nursing a few injuries that won’t quite go away, but will still be the favorite for anyone who wants this crazy streak to continue.

For those who want 27 unique winners, the LPGA heads from Hawaii to Shanghai, China. Sei Young Kim, Ariya Jutanugarn, Nasa Hataoka and Gaby Lopez have had the most success this year and not broken through.

HONOLULU — Youmin Hwang won the LOTTE Championship on Saturday for her first victory in an LPGA Tour event, making a big late charge to run the season-opening streak without a repeat winner to 25 tournaments.

A Korean LPGA member in the field on a sponsor invite, Hwang birdied the final four holes and five of the last six at breezy Hoakalei Country Club for a 5-under 67 and a one-shot victory over Hyo Joo Kim.

“Thanks to LOTTE’s support I can be here and win,” Hwang said.

As a nonmember of the LPGA Tour, the 22-year-old Hwang has the option to accept immediate membership or defer to next season. The two-time KLPGA winner won in her sixth career LPGA start and fourth of the season — after making the weekend cuts in the major U.S. Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA and Evian Championship.

Tied for the lead with Kim and Minami Katsu after her birdie on the par-4 17th, Hwang got a break when Katsu and Kim each bogeyed the hole in the group behind. On the par-5 18th, Hwang hit her second shot through the green into rough and chipped to a foot.

Hwang finished at 17-under 271. She shot a career-best 62 on Thursday to open a three-stroke lead, then had a 75 on Friday to drop into a tie for second — a shot behind Akie Iwai.

Kim birdied the 18th for a 68.

Katsu was third at 15 under after a 69.

Second-ranked Nelly Korda closed with a 69 to finish three back at 17 under with Peiyun Chien (70), Jessica Porvasnik (70) and Iwai (71). Coming off a seven-victory season, Korda hasn’t won this year.

“Overall, I’m putting myself into contention.” Korda said. “It’s definitely an interesting year for me result-wise, but at the end of the day I’m giving it 100 percent, controlling what I can control and I’m happy with that.”

The LPGA Tour now heads to Asia for tournaments five straight weeks in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.

HONOLULU — Youmin Hwang won the Lotte Championship on Sunday for her first victory in an LPGA Tour event, making a big late charge to run the season-opening streak without a repeat winner to 25 tournaments.

A Korean LPGA member in the field on a sponsor invite, Hwang birdied the final four holes and five of the last six at breezy Hoakalei Country Club for a 5-under 67 and a one-shot victory over Hyo Joo Kim.

“Thanks to Lotte’s support I can be here and win,†Hwang said.

As a non-member of the LPGA Tour, the 22-year-old Hwang has the option to accept immediate membership or defer to next season. The two-time KLPGA winner won in her sixth career LPGA start and fourth of the season — after making the weekend cuts in the major U.S. Women’s Open, KPMG Women’s PGA and Amundi Evian Championship.

Tied for the lead with Kim and Minami Katsu after her birdie on the par-4 17th, Hwang got a break when Katsu and Kim each bogeyed the hole in the group behind. On the par-5 18th, Hwang hit her second shot through the green into rough and chipped to a foot.

Hwang finished at 17-under 271. She shot a career-best 62 on Thursday to open a three-stroke lead, then had a 75 on Friday to drop into a tie for second — a shot behind Akie Iwai.

Kim birdied the 18th for a 68.

Katsu was third at 15 under after a 69.

Second-ranked Nelly Korda closed with a 69 for finish three back at 17 under with Peiyun Chien (70), Jessica Porvasnik (70) and Iwai (71). Coming off a seven-victory season, Korda hasn’t won this year.

“Overall, I’m putting myself into contention.†Korda said. “It’s definitely an interesting year for me result-wise, but at the end of the day I’m giving it 100%, controlling what I can control and I’m happy with that.â€

The LPGA Tour now heads to Asia for tournaments five straight weeks in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.

HONOLULU — Akie Iwai shot an 8-under 64 in calm morning conditions Wednesday at Hoakalei Country Club to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship.

She played alongside twin sister Chisato.

“It was fun,†Akie said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow, too.â€

The 23-year-old Japanese sisters have each won this year as tour rookies. Chisato broke through at Mayakoba in Mexico in May, and Akie won the Portland Classic in August.

On Wednesday, Akie birdied three of the first four holes. Then, after making six birdies in a nine-hole span, she closed with a bogey on the par-3 ninth. Chisati opened with a 70.

Fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka was a stroke at back at 65 with Gabriela Ruffels of Australia and Peiyun Chien of Taiwan.

“We played at 7:30 this morning and the wind wasn’t up,†Ruffels said. “I feel like the defense of this golf course is the wind, so having an afternoon tee time tomorrow, I feel like it’s going to be a bit trickier and it might be tougher to shoot a lower number.â€

Defending champion A Lim Kim of South Korea had the best round of the afternoon session, making four straight birdies on the back nine in a 66. Thai players Patty Tavatanakit and Pornanong Phatlum shot 66 in the morning.

Nelly Korda opened with a 69 in the afternoon, birdieing the first three holes, then offsetting two bogeys with two birdies the rest of the way.

“A little bit of an up-and-down round, but overall, happy to get it in at 3 under par,†Korda said. “Definitely have a long way to go to get in contention.â€

Coming off a seven-victory season, she hasn’t won this year and has lost her No. 1 ranking to Jeeno Thitikul. The tour has had a different winner in all 24 of its official tournaments this year.

Charley Hull matched playing partner Korda with a 69. Hull won the Kroger Queen City Championship three weeks ago in Ohio after Thitikul four-putted the final hole.

Brooke Henderson, the 2018 and 2019 winner at Ko Olina, shot 70 in the afternoon.

After the event, the LPGA heads to Asia for tournaments five straight weeks in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.

HONOLULU — Akie Iwai shot an 8-under 64 in calm morning conditions Wednesday at Hoakalei Country Club to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour’s Lotte Championship.

She played alongside twin sister Chisato.

“It was fun,” Akie said. “I’m looking forward to tomorrow, too.”

The 23-year-old Japanese sisters have each won this year as tour rookies. Chisato broke through at Mayakoba in Mexico in May, and Akie won the Portland Classic in August.

On Wednesday, Akie birdied three of the first four holes. Then, after making six birdies in a nine-hole span, she closed with a bogey on the par-3 ninth. Chisati opened with a 70.

Fellow Japanese player Nasa Hataoka was a stroke at back at 65 with Gabriela Ruffels of Australia and Peiyun Chien of Taiwan.

“We played at 7:30 this morning and the wind wasn’t up,” Ruffels said. “I feel like the defense of this golf course is the wind, so having an afternoon tee time tomorrow, I feel like it’s going to be a bit trickier and it might be tougher to shoot a lower number.”

Defending champion A Lim Kim of South Korea had the best round of the afternoon session, making four straight birdies on the back nine in a 66. Thai players Patty Tavatanakit and Pornanong Phatlum shot 66 in the morning.

Nelly Korda opened with a 69 in the afternoon, birdieing the first three holes, then offsetting two bogeys with two birdies the rest of the way.

“A little bit of an up-and-down round, but overall, happy to get it in at 3-under par,” Korda said. “Definitely have a long way to go to get in contention.”

Coming off a seven-victory season, she hasn’t won this year and has lost her No. 1 ranking to Jeeno Thitikul. The tour has had a different winner in all 24 of its official tournaments this year.

Charley Hull matched playing partner Korda with a 69. Hull won the Kroger Queen City Championship three weeks ago in Ohio after Thitikul four-putted the final hole.

Brooke Henderson, the 2018 and 2019 winner at Ko Olina, shot 70 in the afternoon.

After the event, the LPGA heads to Asia for tournaments five straight weeks in Shanghai, South Korea, Malaysia and Japan.

This week’s 2025 Walmart NW Arkansas Championship has been overwhelmed with rainstorms. After inches of rain fell overnight Saturday into Sunday, the LPGA Tour made the “difficult” decision to cancel the remainder of the tournament.

What was intended to be 54-hole event started running into trouble with the weather on Saturday. The start of the second round was delayed, then halted multiple times due to dangerous weather.

At 4:39 p.m. ET on Saturday, the second round was officially suspended for the remainder of the day after the golf course became “unplayable.”

‘I’ve come a long way’: Alison Lee eyes first LPGA win months after birth of son

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Kevin Cunningham

But the weather did not take a turn for the better. According to the LPGA, host course Pinnacle Country Club was hit with another 3.25-inches of rain overnight Saturday.

With more rain on the way Sunday and Monday, the LPGA officially announced that the tournament had been cancelled just before 10 a.m. ET on Sunday morning.

“After having assessed the golf course and consulted with our meteorologist and superintendent, the golf course is unplayable,” read the LPGA’s statement on X. “Based on the weather forecast for the remainder of today and all-day Monday, it is highly unlikely that 36 holes could be completed to make it an official event. As a result, the decision has been made to cancel the remainder of the tournament, with only player’s 18-hole score counting.”

The statement continued: “Our partners at Walmart and P&G have generously committed to paying out more than what’s required in the event of a tournament cancellation. In addition, they’ve also committed to ensuring every player receives compensation regardless of where they stand on the leaderboard after 18 holes of play.”

LPGA cancellation thwarts Alison Lee’s comeback win hopes

The news was especially unwelcome to one competitor in particular, American veteran Alison Lee.

This week, Lee was playing in only her third pro event — and second LPGA event — since giving birth to her first son, Levi Todd Kidd, in late April, just over four months ago.

Lee detailed the struggles she experienced preparing for her return to pro golf while balancing being a new mom in her pre-tournament press conference on Thursday, which you can read about here.

Incredibly, Lee fired a seven-under 64 in the first round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship to tie for the early lead. She was able to get in three holes of her second round before the tournament was cancelled, making a birdie to maintain a share of the lead at eight under.

But with the tournament now cancelled, Lee will have to await another week to attempt her comeback win. Making matters worse, in her long career Lee has yet to capture an LPGA Tour victory.