Jenny Shin Leads First Round of LPGA Women's Scottish Open... Kim A-lim Third

Jenny Shin, in her 16th year on the LPGA Tour, has placed herself at the top of the leaderboard on the first day of the ISPS Handa Women's Scottish Open (total purse of $2 million).

Shin shot a 6-under-par 66 with seven birdies and one bogey in the first round of the tournament held on the 23rd (local time) at Dundonald Links (par 72) in North Ayrshire, Scotland.

Tied for the lead with Lauren Coughlin (USA), Shin has made a strong start toward her second career LPGA Tour victory.

Shin, who debuted on the LPGA Tour in 2011, won the Texas Shootout in 2016.

Starting from the 10th hole, Shin picked up four birdies on the front nine alone and added three more birdies on the back nine, though her bogey on the 4th hole (par 3) was a slight regret.

In an interview with the LPGA Tour, Shin said, "I practiced in Sweden last week, and it was a links-style course. Because it was by the coast, there was a lot of wind, which I think helped me practice well."

Kim A-lim, the 2020 U.S. Women's Open champion, shot a 5-under-par 67 with seven birdies and two bogeys, placing her alone in third place, one stroke behind the co-leaders.

Kim, who also won the Lotte Championship in 2024 and the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in 2025, is seeking her fourth career LPGA Tour title.

Kim said, "This is my sixth time participating in this tournament, and I remember the characteristics of each hole well. Especially today, my putting was very good."

World No. 1 Nelly Korda (USA), who has four wins this season, traded four birdies for four bogeys to finish the first round even-par 72 in a tie for 14th place.

World No. 4 Kim Hyo-joo managed four birdies, but stumbled with two double bogeys and three bogeys, dropping to 3-over-par 75 and a tie for 46th place.

Kim Sei-young also shot a 3-over-par 75, resulting in a tough start to the tournament.

Defending champion Lottie Woad (England) is tied for 33rd at 2-over-par 74.

(Photo: Getty Images)
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