South Korea's Ina Yoon carded a nine-under-par 63 in the opening round of the Women's PGA Championship on Friday, June 28, 2026 (Philippine time), matching the lowest score in tournament history and grabbing a two-shot lead at Hazeltine National Golf Club, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Record-Breaking Round
The 23-year-old Yoon, still seeking her first LPGA Tour victory, birdied five of her final six holes to finish with a flourish on a day that saw several low scores. Her 63 ties the championship record previously set by Nelly Korda in 2021 and Patty Sheehan in 1984. It also ranks among the lowest opening rounds ever in a women's major.
Ranked No. 39 in the world, Yoon admitted she exceeded her own expectations. "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."
Contenders Close Behind
Australia's Karis Davidson posted a career-best 65 to sit alone in second place. Davidson, 27, recorded eight birdies in near-ideal scoring conditions and is also chasing her maiden LPGA title. She credited her accuracy and putting. "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, while Aline Krauter, Hye-Jin Choi and Megan Kang opened with 68s. Pano said after posting an eagle and three birdies on the back nine: "Just trying to go out there and make solid swings. My goal for this week was just to really focus on where my feet are and focus on the shot at hand."
Korda and Other Notables
World No. 1 Nelly Korda, attempting to become only the third woman to win the year's first three major championships, opened with a 70. Her round included a costly double bogey at the par-4 16th after her tee shot found the water. "I just overturned it," Korda said. "It's a pretty intimidating tee shot, and I just didn't really like the way I hit it off the start."
Thailand's Jeeno Thitikul, ranked No. 2 and still chasing her first major title, shot a 69 to remain firmly in contention. Amanda Doherty recorded a hole-in-one at the 17th hole on her way to an even-par 72, one of the memorable moments of the opening round.
