Choi Hye-jin shares first-round lead at 9-under at The Annika

Choi Hye-jin fired a bogey-free 9-under 61 to share the first-round lead at The Annika driven by Gainbridge at Pelican on the LPGA Tour.

Playing at Pelican Golf Club (par 70) in Belleair, Florida, on Friday (Korean Standard Time), Choi collected nine birdies without a bogey to sit atop the leaderboard alongside Japan's Katsu Minami.

Lindy Duncan of the United States, who made a hole-in-one, carded an 8-under 62 to claim sole third place, while world No. 1 Nelly Korda — returning to competition for the first time in two months since the Solheim Cup — shot a 7-under 63 to also sit in sole third.

Choi opened her account with a birdie on the second hole, then added back-to-back birdies on Nos. 6 and 7 before closing the front nine with another birdie on No. 9 to reach 4-under at the turn. On the back nine, she reeled off four consecutive birdies starting at No. 12 and capped the round with her ninth birdie on the 18th. Choi missed only two fairways all day, hit all but one green in regulation and needed just 27 putts over 18 holes.

Choi carried strong momentum into the week after last week's Asian Swing, where she shot a 64 in the opening round of the Buick LPGA Shanghai and back-to-back 66s at the BMW Ladies Championship. Having finished runner-up in consecutive weeks, she is chasing her first LPGA Tour victory this week.

"Because I had been playing well in recent rounds, I felt like I didn't need to make any big mistakes today," Choi said after her round. "I also remember playing a strong first round at the tournaments I entered recently, so I think today was a good start. There are still three rounds left, and I will keep giving my best."

Korda, who played alongside Choi, showed no signs of rust despite her lengthy absence, making seven birdies without a bogey. The American has already claimed four wins this season, including two majors, and clinched the LPGA Player of the Year award early.

Korda needs just one more point to reach the 27 required for LPGA Hall of Fame induction, having accumulated 26, meaning a victory in either of the season's final two events would get her there. However, Korda said she intends to "focus on doing my best in this tournament rather than the record."

Yun I-na carded a 6-under 64 to share fifth place. Hara Erika of Japan, who is on course to clinch Rookie of the Year honors, shot a 5-under 65 to join a group tied for ninth that includes Lottie Woad of England and Japan's Iwai Chiji.

Kim A-lim, Lee Jeong-eun and Kang Min-ji each shot a 4-under 66 to share 20th place. Ko Jin-young is tied for 31st at 3-under 67 alongside Rose Zhang and Andrea Lee, both of the United States.