Defending champion Jennifer Kupcho birdied the par-5 18th for a 6-under 66 and a share of the first-round lead Thursday within the Meijer LPGA Classic.
Kupcho birdied 4 of the 5 par-5 holes in a bogey-free spherical at Blythefield Country Club. She was tied with Ayaka Furue, Frida Kinhult, Lindsey Weaver-Wright and Cheyenne Knight.
“I think it kind of sets up really well for my game,” Kupcho stated. “Five par 5s, I like par 5s at all golf courses, so certainly helps. I think I just feel really comfortable in general. Played pretty well here even aside from the wind.”
Kupcho is making her second title protection of the 12 months, however the first got here within the relocated main Chevron Championship on a brand new course Texas.
“It’s definitely a lot different defending this versus Chevron,” Kupcho stated. “Just knowing the golf course, knowing where most of the pin placements are going to be, it’s just a whole level of comfort.”
Knight additionally had a bogey-free spherical.
“This course you can make a lot of birdies if you position yourself well off the tee, especially.” Knight stated. “So, I played pretty solid today. Didn’t make a ton of mistakes and, when I did, I was able to recover.”
Ally Ewing was a stroke again at 67 with Amy Yang, Emily Kristine Pedersen, Alison Lee and Eun-Hee Ji.
“If you hit solid golf shots here you can make some birdies,” Ewing stated. “So, I just stuck with a good game plan and tried to give myself a lot of looks and was able to convert some longer putts early on.”
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Ashleigh Buhai, the ShopRite LPGA Classic winner final week in New Jersey, and Minjee Lee topped the group at 68.
Brooke Henderson, the Canadian who gained the occasion in 2017 and 2019, opened with a 69. Lexi Thompson, the 2015 winner, additionally shot 69.
The main KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is subsequent week at Baltusrol in New Jersey.