MAINEVILLE, Ohio — Chanettee Wannasaen broke out of a swing funk to shoot a 9-under 63 and take a two-stroke lead Thursday within the Kroger Queen Metropolis Championship.
Wannasaen holed out a 9-iron shot for eagle on the par-4 tenth and had seven birdies in her morning spherical at soggy TPC River’s Bend.
“Truly, immediately play actually good,” Wannasaen stated. “After AIG (Ladies’s British Open), I’ve a little bit bit wrestle with my swing, so like I can’t hit like a strong shot.”
The 21-year-old Thai participant has two LPGA Tour victories, the 2023 Portland Basic and 2024 Dana Open.
American Gigi Stoll was second at 65. She performed the 4 par-5 holes in 5 underneath with an eagle on the eleventh and three birdies.
“I believe they’re a little bit shorter than ordinary, so taking part in the par 5s effectively out right here goes to be an enormous benefit,” Stoll stated. “I simply bought the ball rolling immediately.”
Sei Younger Kim was one other stroke again with Patty Tavatanakit, A Lim Kim, Peiyun Chien, Kumkang Park and Jenny Bae.
Second-ranked Nelly Korda topped the group at 67. She’s looking for her first LPGA title this yr after successful seven occasions in 2024.
“Made a pair putts right here and there,” Korda stated. “General, simply form of the whole lot was flowing and the climate was nice. There was actually no wind. So with form of the saturated circumstances, a little bit softer, you would be a little bit bit extra aggressive.”
Charley Hull opened with a 68. She’s coming off a runner-up end in Houston as a part of the Aramco sequence on the Women European Tour.
“I performed fairly strong final week and, clearly, now first week again on the LPGA carrying on into this week,” Hull stated. “Hopefully, we are able to go low over the following few days.”
Prime-ranked Jeeno Thitikul shot 69, whereas Defending champion Lydia Ko opened with a 70.
Alison Lee had a 76 in her first begin since she gave start to a boy in April.
