Hye-Jin Choi has grabbed the early advantage at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, posting a blistering 8-under 64 on Thursday to claim a three-stroke lead. The South Korean star is hunting her first LPGA Tour victory to add to her 12 wins back home, and she made her move with a steady four-birdie run on the front nine before closing out the round. Carlota Ciganda sits in second after shooting a 67, while defending champion Jeeno Thitikul trails at a tie for seventh. The opening round sets the stage for a crucial week in China as the tour begins its late-season push.
Choi’s performance on Thursday at the Sheshan Golf Club was the defining story of the day. A three-stroke lead after the opening round of the event was secured by her 64, the Associated Press states. The report notes that Choi secured her position with four consecutive birdies on her final nine holes, a display of precision that left her ahead of the field. Sheshan Golf Club, which previously hosted the HSBC Champions tournament 11 times as a World Golf Championship event, is hosting this tournament for the first time, marking the sixth edition of the Buick LPGA Shanghai.
The context around the field adds another layer to the competition. AOL.com reports that the LPGA begins its fall Asian swing with four consecutive weeks of play in four different nations, while the world’s No. 1 player is missing. Earlier this month in Hawaii, Nelly Korda, who tops the Vare Trophy standings with a 69.38 average, missed the Lotte Championship and did not play any of the four Asian events. An LPGA official stated she cannot qualify for the Vare Trophy due to insufficient rounds in 2026, a circumstance occurring seven times since 1992 with players such as Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam.
Jeeno Thitikul enters the week with significant momentum despite her opening round score. The defending champion, who triumphed in a five-hole playoff against Minami Katsu at this venue in 2025, carded a 69 to share seventh place, according to the Associated Press. Her fourth LPGA win of the season and 11th overall came at the LOTTE Championship in Hawaii earlier this month, where Thitikul claimed victory. Her presence at Sheshan Golf Club highlights the strength of the field, even without the top-ranked player in the world. The tournament serves as the first of four stops on the late-season Asian Swing, with other events scheduled for South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan over the next three weeks.
What the Lead Means for the Season
Choi’s three-stroke advantage gives her a comfortable cushion, but the course conditions and the depth of the field suggest the battle is far from over. With only six events remaining in the 2026 season, every shot carries extra weight for players looking to close out their year on a high note. The absence of Korda shifts the spotlight to established stars like Choi and Thitikul, who are fighting for both the trophy and valuable ranking points. The fact that this is the first time the event has moved to Sheshan Golf Club means players are still adjusting to the specific nuances of the layout, making consistency key over the next three days.
For fans watching the Asian Swing, the narrative is clear: this is a battle for the title among the tour’s elite while the world’s best takes a break. The schedule remains tight, with the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea scheduled for October 22-25, followed by the Maybank Championship in Malaysia from October 29 to November 1. These events will test the endurance of the players who choose to stay on tour through the fall. Choi’s performance on Thursday proves she is ready for the challenge, but the competition from Ciganda and Thitikul ensures the lead could change quickly as the tournament progresses.
Looking Ahead to the Next Round
The action continues at the Sheshan Golf Club as the players head into the second round on Friday. The LPGA tour will remain in Asia for the next three weeks before returning to the United States for the final two tournaments of the year. The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican in Belleair, Florida, is scheduled for November 12-15, followed by the CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida, from November 19-22. Until then, the focus stays on the Shanghai event and the players vying for the top spot on the leaderboard.
