Lydia Ko Shoots Opening-Round 64 to Take Early Lead at LPGA Honda Thailand

Lydia Ko delivered a masterclass in precision golf on Tuesday, shooting an impressive 8-under-par 64 in the opening round of the LPGA Honda Thailand tournament at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, taking a two-shot lead over a competitive field as she seeks her first victory of the 2026 season.

The 28-year-old former world No. 1 was nearly flawless during her bogey-free round, making eight birdies including a spectacular stretch of four consecutive birdies on holes 12-15 that separated her from the field. Ko's round featured exceptional iron play and putting, as she consistently hit greens in regulation and converted numerous birdie opportunities from inside 15 feet.

"I felt really comfortable out there today," Ko said after signing her scorecard. "My swing feels good, and I was reading the greens really well. The course is in fantastic condition, and when you can get the putter going like I did today, you can score. It's only the first round, but this gives me confidence for the rest of the week."

Ko's exceptional start was highlighted by her approach play on the back nine, where she hit seven of nine greens in regulation and capitalized on three birdie putts from outside 12 feet. Her ability to control distance with her irons and read the subtle breaks on Siam Country Club's challenging greens demonstrated the technical precision that made her the youngest player ever to reach world No. 1.

Thailand's Atthaya Thitikul sits alone in second place at 6-under par following her solid opening round of 66, while American Danielle Kang and Sweden's Anna Nordqvist share third place at 5-under par. The strong international leaderboard reflects the global nature of women's professional golf and sets up an intriguing week of competition.

Ko's opening-round performance continues her steady climb back toward elite form after several seasons of rebuilding her swing and mental approach. The two-time major champion's combination of distance control and putting touch suggests she may be ready to return to the winner's circle for the first time since 2022. With perfect weather conditions forecast for the remainder of the tournament, Ko's early lead positions her well for what could be a breakthrough victory in her quest to reclaim her status among women's golf elite players.