The LPGA’s Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G got underway on Friday in prime conditions and Cavan’s Leona Maguire was in fine form, posting a seven-under par bogey free round to see the 30-year-old one shot off the lead in a share of third.
A steady start for Maguire saw the two-time LPGA winner par the first three holes before a birdie dropped on the par-4 fourth. That seemed to get the ball rolling for Maguire as her score began to drop, making six more birdies on her way to the clubhouse.
With the CME Globe Tour Championship in a few weeks’ time, Maguire will need to be within the top 60 in the rankings in she is to tee off there and as the 30-year-old currently sits in 52nd, more hot starts like this will ensure that she’s there.
“My game has been in good shape for the past couple of months and it’s nice to start off with a low one here,” said Maguire.
Pinpoint off the tee and in her approach, Maguire hit all 13 fairways and missed only one green in regulation.
“I’m just coming off a few weeks at home which has been really nice to rest, recharge and get ready for this last stretch,” she added.
Northern Ireland’s Stephanie Meadow also posted a round she could be proud of as the 33-year-old ended round one on two-under-par to see her in a tie for 66th.
Beginning on the 10th, almost all of Meadow’s action came within five holes early on the front nine as the Antrim native made four birdies between holes 11 and 15.
USA’s Sarah Schmelzel went from the middle of the pack to a tie for the lead in just five holes Friday, closing with four straight birdies and an eagle for an 8-under 63 to match Japan’s Minami Katsu.
“You should at least have looks on all those because you have pretty short clubs in,” Schmelzel said. “I told my caddie walking to the green on 14 I need to start making some birdies or else I’m going to get lapped out there today.”
Joining Schmelzel in T1, 27-year-old Katsu spread out her eight birdies in a bogey-free round.
In T3 alongside Maguire is South Korea’s Somi Lee, who has thrown herself right make into the mix after only returning to the LPGA earlier this month as she was out on maternity leave.
“I would say over the last couple weeks coming back and playing, usually the strongest part of my game is my approach shots, my irons. Usually good with hitting my numbers,” Lee said. “Felt like over the last couple weeks that was my weakness. I couldn’t quite get it right.
Nelly Korda, still winless this season after a seven-win year in 2024, failed to take advantage of the good scoring conditions. She had a 69 and will go into the second round Friday closer to the cut line than to the lead.
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