Ashleigh Buhai was in a share of sixth on Thursday after the first round of the LPGA Tour’s opening 2024 event, the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions when she carded a three-under-par 69.

It was something of a yo-yo start for the reigning Investec South African Women’s Open champion, as she made four birdies in between reeling in no fewer than seven birdies. She shared sixth with New Zealand’s Lydia Ko, Australia’s Grace Kim and Americans Rose Zhang and Alexa Pano.

They were all four strokes off the opening seven-under-par carded by the leader, Ayaka Furue of Japan. Furue led by two from Sweden’s Maja Stark and Gaby Lopez of Mexico. Furue, who made seven birdies, captured the Ladies Scottish Open in 2022 for her first LPGA title, is making her second start at the LPGA’s season opener for winners each of the last two years.

Paula Reto opened with a three-over-par 75.

This event features 35 LPGA winners over 72 holes of stroke play alongside a celebrity field of 50 competitors competing for a separate purse using a Modified Stableford points system.