Mariel Galdiano opened The Standard Portland Classic with a 7-under 65 on Thursday, earning a one-shot lead after the first round at Columbia-Edgewater Country Club in Portland.

The 28-year-old from Hawaii made a career-high nine birdies alongside two bogeys on the tree-lined course. She needed only 22 putts, the lowest total in the field, after starting in the second group from the first tee.

It was the first time Galdiano had led after any round on the LPGA Tour. She is making only her fourth LPGA start of 2026, having spent most of the season competing on the Epson Tour, where she recorded five top-10 finishes through August 6.

“Every start on the LPGA means a lot to me, so just enjoy the moment really,” Galdiano said after her round.

Galdiano, a former UCLA player, also welcomed the tournament’s Pacific Northwest setting.

“I love coming up to the Pacific Northwest,” she said. “Like great weather, good food. It’s kind of close to Hawaii for me, so I feel pretty relaxed out here.”

Marín Finds Her Rhythm With Five Straight Birdies

Amateur María José Marín led the chasing group after shooting a 6-under 66. The 20-year-old Colombian made eight birdies against two bogeys, closing her front nine with five consecutive birdies.

“I think I reached like a flow state that I haven’t reached in a while,” Marín said. “After the British Open I didn’t play my best golf, and I think getting that confidence back with this round is all that I needed.”

Marín is preparing for her senior season at Arkansas, having won the 2025 NCAA individual title. She secured her Portland exemption by winning the 2026 Augusta National Women’s Amateur with a tournament-record total of 14-under.

Her father is caddying for her this week and played an important role on Columbia-Edgewater’s greens.

“I fully trust every break that he gave me,” Marín said.

Seven Players Share Second Place

Marín was joined at 6-under by Arpichaya Yubol, Olivia Cowan, Grace Kim, Hye-Jin Choi, Lauren Walsh and Bianca Pagdanganan.

Yubol completed a bogey-free 66 with 23 putts. She already has two runner-up finishes this season, at the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba and the ShopRite LPGA.

Cowan made eight birdies and produced four in succession from the 14th through the 17th. Her 66 was her lowest LPGA round since the 2025 Kroger Queen City Championship.

Kim combined seven birdies and an eagle at the par-5 7th with two bogeys, while Choi made four straight birdies from the 13th. Walsh and Pagdanganan each recorded their lowest rounds of the season, with Walsh reaching the top three after an LPGA opening round for the first time.

Two-time major winner Haeran Ryu headed the group at 5-under 67. Ryu won consecutive majors earlier this year at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and Evian Championship.

Defending champion Akie Iwai opened with a 1-over 73. Lexi Thompson also shot 73, two days after announcing that she and her husband, Max Provost, are expecting a daughter in February.

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