GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Brooke Henderson shot 8-under 63 Thursday to top the star-packed leaderboard in the Meijer LPGA Classic.
The 19-year-old eagled the par-5 eighth hole and had six birdies at Blythefield in her lowest round of the season. She won the major Women's PGA Championship last year and has three tour victories.
"I feel like this course suits my game really well," Henderson said. "There's a couple tee shots where you need to hit it really straight, which I think is kind of my advantage or my strength. And once the putts start dropping, then really good things can happen."
Fellow major champions Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis and Shanshan Feng were a stroke back along with Jennifer Ha, Giulia Molinaro and Holly Clyburn. Lydia Ko, at No. 2 in the world after an 85-week run at the top, Madelene Sagstrom and Simin Feng came in at 65. Jane Park and Mi Jung Hur shot 66. Michelle Wie opened with a 68, new No. 1 Ariya Jutanugarn had a 69, and defending champion Sei Young Kim had a 70.