Great start in Hainan for the Blue Bay LPGA 2025. The third and final tournament of the LPGA Asian tour is now underway. After the first 18 holes, the leaderboard is impressive with twenty players within a two-shot range. Just one shot behind the leading pack is none other than the world number two, Jeeno Thitikul (-3).
The 22-year-old player’s round is particularly commendable as the wind made its presence felt as the day progressed on the island of the People’s Republic of China, significantly affecting the afternoon session. Of the top twelve, only one golfer played in the afternoon slot: the aforementioned Thitikul. In great form, playing very well and executing approaches brilliantly. Admittedly, playing slightly aggressively, which led to more mistakes than usual. Eight birdies and five bogeys. Only an error on the last hole of the day prevented her from finishing at the top.
Leading the tournament are the Korean A Lim Kim (-4), currently the leader of the Race to CME and champion of the season’s inaugural tournament, Ayake Furue (-4), who finished tied for second place last week with Thitikul, and the American Auston Kim. A great leading trio.
Tied with Thitikul, closely following is Mexican Gaby López (-3), who already knows what it’s like to win in Hainan and is looking to return to victory after three years. Alongside Gaby and Jeeno are also Rio Takeda, Ina Yoon, and Kristen Gillman among other players.
It hasn’t been the best start for the Spanish players. None of the Armada’s golfers managed to play under par in this opening round in Hainan, but the outlook is still promising. There’s room for manoeuvre.
Julia’s round went from better to worse. The Andalusian started very well with two birdies on the third and sixth holes, positioning her high on the leaderboard. From there, it turned into a rollercoaster with two bogeys and a double bogey, which she managed to recover with two more birdies. The 22-year-old was able to lift herself to level par with three holes to go. However, another bogey and, above all, another double bogey on the penultimate hole of the day hampered the start.
Nevertheless, not all is bad news, the cut is just one shot away. The player from Benahavis will try to claw back some shots in the second round to play her first weekend in the LPGA.
Tied on the leaderboard with Julia is Azahara Muñoz (+3). The player from Malaga had to contend with the afternoon session, which took its toll as it progressed. A card of 75 strokes and just one off the provisional cut, Aza will look to make the first cut of the year this Friday and gain positions with still 54 holes ahead.
Galician Fátima Fernandez Cano (+5) didn’t have the dream start. A round of 77 strokes places her in the lower positions, but from which she will fight tomorrow to make the cut.
