South Korea's 23‑year‑old Ina Yoon opened the Women's PGA Championship with a nine‑under 63, seizing a two‑stroke lead at Hazeltine. Her flawless round featured nine birdies and no bogeys, thrusting her seven shots clear of world number one Nelly Korda. Yoon's performance marks a breakthrough in her second LGPA Tour season.

Korda, a four‑time major champion, stumbled to a shared 19th place after a double bogey on the 16th erased her early five‑birdie surge. She described the round as a “bad swing” but remained satisfied, noting a solid start despite the missed opportunity to chase a third consecutive major title.

Australia's Karis Davidson posted a seven‑under 65 to sit second, while South Korea's A‑Lim Kim and America's Alexa Pano tied for third at five under. The field also featured notable scores from England’s Ellie Woad and a cluster of European players around par, underscoring the tournament’s deep international competition.

The championship boasts a $13 million purse, the richest in women’s golf history, with $1.95 million awarded to the winner. Yoon’s early advantage puts her in strong contention for the top prize and could reshape the LPGA rankings, where she currently trails the seasoned elite, and signals a possible shift in dominance.