HSBC Womens World Championship Round 1

American Auston Kim delivered a statement performance in the opening round, carding a brilliant 6-under 66 to take a one-shot lead at Sentosa. Kim’s round was nearly flawless, featuring seven birdies and a lone bogey, as she successfully navigated the sweltering heat and tricky pin positions. Her aggressive approach to the greens allowed her to capitalize on early momentum, putting her ahead of China’s Yan Liu, who sits in second place after a bogey-free 67. The chasing pack is crowded with talent, as five players—including Linn Grant and Haeran Ryu—are tied for third at 4-under par. Defending champion Lydia Ko remains firmly in the hunt after a solid 70, while world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul struggled slightly to find her rhythm, finishing with a 73. Despite the firm conditions, the leaderboard remains tightly packed, setting the scene for a dramatic shift as the field heads into the second round.