Ashleigh Buhai opened her campaign in the LPGA Tour’s Hugel-Air Premia LA Open in Wilshire, Los Angeles with a level-par 71 on Wednesday to finish the first round in a share of 57th place.
She had a shaky start from the 10th tee, making bogey on each of her first two holes, but she regained those strokes with consecutive birdies on 14 and 15. A birdie on the par-three 18th ahead of the turn, and another immediately after on the first saw her move to two-under, but she lost those gains on the third and the fifth.
The tournament was led by Jessica Korda at seven-under. She was one shot clear of Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand and Tiffany Chan of Hing Kong, and a group of five players, including Korda’s sister Nelly, were in a share of fourth at five-under.
Buhai had 32 putts in her round, having hit 14 of 18 greens in regulation.
