Ina Yoon matched the lowest round in the 71-year history of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, shooting a 9-under 63 on Thursday to take a two-shot lead after the opening round at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. Karis Davidson posted a career-best 65 in the afternoon wave, while Nelly Korda, chasing a historic sweep of the season’s first three majors, signed for a 2-under 70.

Yoon, a 23-year-old South Korean seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, made nine birdies in her round, including five over her final six holes. Seven of her birdie putts came from within 13 feet, the other two from 22 and 24 feet.

“I just hit the golf ball and it just dropped in the hole and it was really an awesome experience,” Yoon said. “Just try to think nothing. Focus on what I need to do. Focus on process. That part I think I did great today.”

Her 63 joins those of Nelly Korda (2021), Sei Young Kim (2020), Meg Mallon (1999) and Patty Sheehan (1984) on the championship’s all-time record list. Yoon’s is the only one to come in the opening round. She finished T-4 at the Chevron Championship earlier this season and is ranked 39th in the world.

Korda’s Late Stumble

Korda was 4-under through 15 holes before a double bogey at the par-4 16th. Her tee shot on the 378-yard dogleg found the water left of the fairway, and she three-putted from 35 feet.

“It’s a pretty intimidating tee shot and I just didn’t really like the way I hit it off the start,” Korda said. “I just overturned it. By now you just feel it when it’s bad.”

Korda is trying to become only the third woman, after Inbee Park (2013) and Babe Zaharias (1950), to capture the first three majors on the schedule in one calendar year. The seven-shot deficit matches where she stood after the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open at Riviera a few weeks ago, where she started with a 73 and rallied to win with rounds of 67-67-69.

“I put myself into a good position,” Korda said. “I’m really happy with the first day.”

Davidson’s Career-Best Round

Davidson, a 27-year-old Australian, made eight birdies in her afternoon 65. She has made cuts in 15 consecutive tournaments, the third-longest active streak on tour behind Korda (31) and Celine Boutier (20), and is also looking for a first LPGA victory.

“Hit a lot of fairways. Hit a lot of greens. Putting was pretty on today. Really felt like I was going to hole everything,” Davidson said. “So it was a pretty perfect round.”

Alexa Pano and A Lim Kim shared third place at 67. Pano’s round included an eagle at the par-5 11th, a wedge holed from 69 yards. Aline Krauter, Hye-Jin Choi and Megan Kang followed at 68, while world No. 2 Jeeno Thitikul opened with a 69.

Hazeltine, hosting the Women’s PGA Championship for the second time after 2019, played far more scoreable than it did seven years ago, when only three players broke 70 in the first round. This time, five scores landed in the 60s. The championship carries a record $13 million purse, the largest in women’s golf history.

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