Lydia Ko delivered a career-defining performance at the LPGA Tour's Ford Championship in Phoenix, carding a 12-under 60 to seize the first-round lead. The New Zealand star opened with four consecutive birdies and closed with two more, matching her career-low round on the Cattail course at Whirlwind Golf Club.

Defending champion Hyo Joo Kim shot a 61, marking the first time since 2003 that two players were double digits under par in an opening round. The scoring frenzy came amid ideal morning conditions before temperatures soared past 38 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. Ko, in her 13th season, credited a recent putter change for finding her rhythm.

Nelly Korda, fresh off a win in Florida, shot 63 with an eagle from the fairway on No. 18. Frida Kinhult posted the afternoon's low round of 64, while world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul struggled to a 69. Ko's round fell just short of Annika Sorenstam's historic sub-60 score from 25 years ago on a different Phoenix course.