Mariel Galdiano Fires 7-Under 65 to Lead Standard Portland Classic

Mariel Galdiano holds a one-shot lead at the Standard Portland Classic after recording nine birdies and two bogeys during her opening round.

Mariel Galdiano carded a 7-under 65 on Thursday at Columbia-Edgewater Country Club to secure a one-stroke lead following the opening round of The Standard Portland Classic. Playing in the second group of the day off the first tee, the 28-year-old Hawaii native and UCLA alumna recorded nine birdies against two bogeys on the tree-lined layout. Galdiano, who is making only her fourth LPGA Tour start of the year, maintained her position at the top of the leaderboard as the afternoon wave concluded play.

Seven players sit tied for second place at 6-under par, trailing the lead by a single shot. This group includes Maria José Marin, a 20-year-old amateur from Colombia who won the Augusta National Women's Amateur and the 2025 NCAA individual title at Arkansas. Marin, an afternoon starter, surged into contention by recording five consecutive birdies on the front nine. She is joined at 66 by Arpichaya Yubol, Olivia Cowan, Grace Kim, Hye-Jin Choi, Lauren Walsh, and Bianca Pagdanganan.

Major Champion Haeran Ryu Starts Strong

Haeran Ryu, who arrived in Portland having won consecutive major championships this year at the KPMG Women's PGA and the Evian Championship, opened with a 5-under 67. Her performance leads a large contingent of players positioned two strokes behind Galdiano. Meanwhile, Lexi Thompson finished her first round with a 1-over 73. Thompson’s appearance comes just two days after she used Instagram to announce her pregnancy, sharing a sonogram of a baby girl due in February with her husband, Max Provost.

Marin Finds Rhythm at Columbia-Edgewater

Maria José Marin credited her performance to reaching a flow state that had eluded her since the British Open. The University of Arkansas senior is competing with her father serving as her caddie, noting that she fully trusts the breaks he reads on the greens. Marin stated that the confidence gained from this round was necessary after a period of play that did not meet her personal standards. She is currently preparing for her final collegiate season following her individual national championship win in 2025.

Galdiano Embraces Pacific Northwest Conditions

For Galdiano, the environment at the Standard Portland Classic contributes to a relaxed mindset. She noted that the weather and food in the Pacific Northwest feel similar to her home in Hawaii. Despite having limited starts on the LPGA Tour this season, she emphasized the importance of enjoying each opportunity. Her 65 stood as the lowest score of the day despite the early morning tee time, which saw her finish well before the afternoon starters completed their rounds on the par-72 course.

The tournament continues at the tree-lined Columbia-Edgewater layout, where the field is chasing Galdiano's 7-under pace. With 14 players within three shots of the lead, the leaderboard remains crowded heading into the second round of play in Oregon. The scoring conditions remained favorable throughout Thursday, allowing multiple players to capitalize on the front nine, as evidenced by Marin's five-birdie streak.