SHANGHAI -- Maja Stark and Wichanee Meechai each shot 6-under 66 on Thursday to take a 2-stroke first-round lead at the LPGA Shanghai event in the tour's return to China since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stark, one of three rookies on the European team that tied the Americans to retain the Solheim Cup last month in Spain, birdied four of her first six holes on the Qizhong Garden Golf Club course. Meechai overcame a first-hole bogey and finished strongly with a pair of birdies.
"Playing the Solheim Cup gave me so much confidence," said Stark, who hit 11 of 14 fairways and 16 of 18 greens and made 28 putts.