Hye-Jin Choi opened the 2026 Buick LPGA Shanghai with an eight-under-par 64 to establish a three-shot lead following the first round at Sheshan Golf Club in Shanghai, China.
Choi, representing the Republic of Korea, finished Thursday’s opening round at eight under par, setting the early pace at the sixth edition of the tournament. Four consecutive birdies over her final nine holes helped separate her from the chasing field.
Spain’s Carlota Ciganda sits second at five under par after carding a 67, while a group of players share third place at four under, including China’s Ruoning Yin, Australia’s Grace Kim, Thailand’s Chanettee Wannasaen and Japan’s Rio Takeda.
Defending champion Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand opened with a three-under-par 69 to sit tied for seventh. Thitikul returns to Shanghai following her five-hole playoff victory over Japan’s Minami Katsu in 2025, and arrives after winning the LOTTE Championship earlier this month.
The 72-hole tournament is being contested at Sheshan Golf Club for the first time, with the venue previously hosting the WGC-HSBC Champions. The $3.2 million event runs from 15–18 October and marks the opening stop of the LPGA Tour’s late-season Asian Swing.
With Choi holding a three-shot advantage, the field returns for the second round on Friday as the race for the Buick LPGA Shanghai title continues.
