Maguire six back after opening 70 in Thailand

Leona Maguire made four birdies in a two-under 70 to trail Taiwan’s Peiyun Chien by six strokes after the opening round of the Honda LPGA Thailand.

The Co Cavan star, who finished tied 27th after an erratic week on the greens in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International on Sunday, had just 28 putts at Siam Country Club Old Course to share 30th place after the opening round.

Chien (33) carded a career-low, eight-under 64 to lead by two shots from Korea’s Sei Young Kim.

“I think [this course is] very easy to shot the good score,” Chien said. “Everything can happen. I just need to play every shot I can do and play best -- every shot best.”

The leader had her best season on the LPGA Tour in 2023, notching five of her ten career top-10 results in 24 starts to make her third CME Group Tour Championship appearance and her first in five years. 

“In the very beginning, the season starts, I should learn just keep the same putter, same irons, everything is the same,” she said. “Just trust myself. I do really trust my read today. I just trust my read and putted.”

Kim made seven birdies in her 66 as she seeks her first victory since November 2020.

“I wasn't comfortable for couple holes beginning, and then after I missed -- after I miss the putt and I had a bogey, I feel like more relax and just feel comfortable, just whatever, just play,” said Kim. “That's kind of help, yeah, and then birdies came to me.”

Nine players are tied for third on five under, including Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit, who cruised to a seven-shot win in the Aramco Saudi Ladies International on Sunday for her first professional win since the 2021 Chevron Championship. 

Maguire was playing alongside Charley Hull, who opened with a disappointing 75 to joint last in the 72-strong field in what is a no-cut event.