Davidson and Yoshida Tie for First-Round Lead at LPGA South Korea Tournament

Karis Davidson and Yuri Yoshida both carded rounds of 6-under 66 to share the lead at the BMW Ladies Championship in Gwangju.

Karis Davidson and Yuri Yoshida share the first-round lead at the BMW Ladies Championship after both players carded a 6-under 66 on Thursday. Davidson, who began her round on the 10th hole at Pine Beach Golf Links, recorded six birdies across an eight-hole stretch before finishing her day with a bogey on her ninth hole. Both leaders are currently pursuing their first career victories on the LPGA Tour.

Haeran Ryu, the world's third-ranked player, sits one stroke behind the leaders at 5-under 67. Ryu’s opening round featured a chip-in birdie from off the green at the 5th hole. She is tied for third place alongside Americans Lucy Li and Lauren Coughlin, as well as European Solheim Cup participant Julia Lopez Ramirez. Lottie Woad, ranked No. 7, opened the tournament with a 69, while defending champion Sei Young Kim posted an even-par 72.

The 83-player, no-cut field is competing southwest of Gwangju in the second event of the LPGA's late-season Asian swing. Following this week's tournament, the tour moves to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the Maybank Championship before heading to Japan. The season is scheduled to conclude in Florida.