Ayaka Furue of Japan did not see any signs of a fast start coming until she opened her 2024 LPGA Tour season on Thursday with a red-hot performance.
Furue made seven birdies in a round 7-under 65, giving her a two-shot lead in the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona in Orlando, Fla.
Defending champion Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., was part of a group tied for sixth at 3 under. Henderson won last year's tournament by four shots, going wire-to-wire for her 13th LPGA victory.
After jumping out to an opening win a year ago, Henderson did not win again in 2023, and is looking to get off to a fast start. WATCH l Henderson opens title defence in Orlando: Furue, 23, who 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.