The ‘sixth Major’ or also known as the ‘Asian Major’ has started with a bang. The first 18 holes of the HSBC Women’s World Championship have already been played, and A Lim Kim (-4) is the first solo leader of the tournament.
It was a tough start to the tournament, with only thirteen players managing to conquer the Tajong Course and play under par. Among them is the Spaniard Carlota Ciganda (-1), who carded a 71 to start the event in seventh position.
The South Korean Kim continues to perform at a high level this season after winning the first tournament of the year in Orlando, adding the third title of her career on the LPGA Tour with an impeccable performance at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions. Last week she also finished sixth in Thailand. She was on everyone’s radar and so far, she is not disappointing.
Kim carded a 68 this Thursday, allowing her to sleep at the top of the leaderboard. It could have been an even better result for the 2020 US Open winner, as after five birdies in the first fifteen holes, her only bogey fell on the penultimate flag of the day.
Right behind her is Charley Hull (-3). The Englishwoman is determined to end her particular Major curse by 2025, and although this event is not officially one, it would be the most important victory of her career since the CME Tour Group Championship in 2016. Despite not being very sharp off the tee, missing almost half of the fairways, she played accurately with the irons and putted very well. A solid round with three birdies and no bogeys.
In the rest of the top ten, there are a good number of Major winners who will fiercely compete for a great result on these grounds. Minjee Lee (-2), Ruoning Yin (-2), Lydia Ko (-1), Hinako Shibuno (-1), Ayake Furue (-1) are some of them.
There are two more names that undoubtedly stand out in that top ten: Jeeno Thititikul (-1) and Carlota Ciganda. The Thai has shone once again, making it clear that although she is not yet a Major winner, she has the makings of one, and no one rules out that it could be in this very 2025. The world number two was leading solo after four birdies in her first ten holes, but a double bogey on the 14th and another mistake on the 16th dropped her to seventh position.
Tied with Jeeno is Carlota Ciganda, who has made a great start in Singapore. The Spaniard is playing her eleventh HSBC and already knows what it’s like to finish in the top ten on two occasions.
The Navarrese started her round on the 10th hole like a whirlwind with three consecutive birdies on the 12th, 13th, and 14th, playing very well. However, Carlota couldn’t maintain the pace, and her round went awry with three bogeys on the next six flags. Two more consecutive birdies lifted her back up the leaderboard, and a late bogey on the last hole saw her finish the day in seventh position with a one-under-par round of 71.
Precisely that seventh position is her best ever result in this tournament. Will the eleventh time be the charm? 54 holes to find out. This Friday, Carlota will play alongside Lydia Ko and Hinako Shibuno in what will undoubtedly be one of the best matches of the day.
Check the live results of the HSBC Women’s World Championship
