SANYA, China (AP) — Ayaka Furue, A Lim Kim and Auston Kim were atop the leaderboard at the LPGA's Blue Bay tournament with opening round scores of 4-under 68 on Thursday.
Jeeno Thitikul, the world No. 2, was a shot back with seven other players on China's southern island of Hainan.
In a very crowded field on the first day, 12 more players were just two shots off the pace after rounds of 70.
No. 4-ranked Ruoning Yin carded a par 72 in front of her home fans.
Canadian Savannah Grewal, of Mississauga, Ont., fired a 2-under 70 and is tied for 12th.
Defending champion Bailey Tardy shot a 3-over 75 and was seven shots off the lead.
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The Associated Press
