Jasmine Suwannapura seized a one-stroke lead during the opening round of the US LPGA NW Arkansas Championship on Friday, finishing with an impressive eight-under-par 63. The 31-year-old Thai golfer showcased her skills at Pinnacle Country Club, recording five of her eight birdies on the back nine, including a crucial birdie at the par-five 18th hole. This performance allowed her to pull ahead of a tightly packed group of four players who were tied for second at seven-under-par.
The day's play was challenging, particularly for those who teed off later, due to gusty winds that made conditions difficult. Suwannapura’s strong showing places her in a favorable position as she aims for a top spot in the 60-player CME Tour Championship. Coming into the tournament ranked 75th in the Race to the CME Globe standings, she remains focused on her goal of qualifying for early-season events in Thailand, where her parents can watch her compete.
Despite the pressure of the standings, Suwannapura expressed a sense of freedom in her play, emphasizing that her recent improvement with her irons has bolstered her confidence. "You can only do your best right now," she stated, highlighting her strategy of being aggressive and aiming for the pins without the worry of a cut in the 54-hole event. The supportive atmosphere in Arkansas, including time spent with her pro-am partners, has also contributed to her positive mindset.
Among those chasing Suwannapura, Spain's Carlota Ciganda, South Africa's Ashleigh Buhai, and Mexico's Maria Fassi completed their rounds at seven-under-par. Fassi, a former collegiate player at the University of Arkansas, rebounded from two early bogeys to achieve nine birdies, while Ciganda had a flawless round with seven birdies. Eighteen-year-old rookie Zeng Liqi also impressed with her seven birdies, finishing her round with confidence and reflecting on her ability to recover from minor mistakes, noting, "A bogey-free round is always a reason to be happy."
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