Ashleigh Buhai overcame a double-bogey six on the 12th hole on Thursday as she carded a three-under-par 68 in the first round of the LPGA Tour’s Founders Cup presented by US Virgin Islands at Bradenton Country Club in Bradenton, Florida.
Buhai had made three birdies up to the 11th without dropping a shot before the inexplicable double-drop on the 12th. She tidied up that mess with two more birdies on the 15th and 17th, and finished the first day in a share of 12th.
Leading at six-under-par were Dane Nana Koerstz Madsen and Jennifer Kupcho of the United States. They were one clear of American Angel Yin and Lauren Coughlin and Korea’s Jin Hee Im.Amongst the eight others on three-under with Buhai was world number one Nelly Korda of the United States.
Kupcho made the turn at two-under and shot a bogey-free four-under 31 on the back nine. “I think really last year I kind of fell in love with the game more, so I think I’m just kind of like bringing that into this year,” Kupcho said. “It’s just a game, so really just trying to enjoy it and have fun.”
Attitude was also key to Koerstz Madsen’s strong 2025 debut. “I think biggest key for me is to be good mentally out there, just stay happy, not let the bad shots get too much to your head, yeah,” she said.
Paula Reto opened with a level-par 71 to give her a share of 50th. She made four birdies and four bogeys in her opening round.
