Katsu Sets Record in Shanghai: 61 Strokes and LPGA Lead

Minami Katsu Sets New Record in Shanghai

Japanese golfer Minami Katsu shone at the LPGA Shanghai tournament, setting a new course record with an impressive round of 11 under par, finishing with a long putt on the 18th hole. With this outstanding performance, Katsu is positioned at the top of the leaderboard at the halfway point of the tournament, with a two-stroke lead. Katsu, 27, demonstrated her skill with six birdies in the first nine holes. Despite a bogey on the 10th hole, she recovered with six additional birdies at the Qizhong Garden Golf Club. Her performance led her to a total of 13 under par (131) after two rounds, in her quest for her first victory on the circuit.

It was a pretty flawless round, with some luck, but overall a very good round. My personal best was 10 under par, so today I have a new record.

Minami Katsu

Katsu revealed that she wasn’t focused on records, but on maintaining concentration on the basics of the game. Her outstanding performance surpassed the previous course record, set by Sei Young Kim last year.

Honestly, I am very happy with the record I made today. Obviously, we still have two more days to play, so there will probably be no celebration. I will try to keep it simple.

Minami Katsu

Ina Yoon placed second with a 68, finishing 11-under par, one stroke ahead of Americans Jenny Bae and Lindy Duncan (67). Bae, who was aiming for the lead, had a complicated finish on the 18th hole, ending with a triple bogey 7 and a total of 69. The leader from the previous night, Arpichaya Yubol, had a 71 and tied for fifth place with Somi Lee (67) and Jeeno Thitikul (70), both with 9 under par. The event in Shanghai is the first of five tournaments in Asia. The LPGA will continue with two weeks in South Korea, including the International Crown team event, and other tournaments in Malaysia and Japan. The previous week, Youmin Hwang extended the incredible streak of the LPGA, where each of the 25 official tournaments this year has had a different winner. Hwang was the sixth South Korean player to win on the LPGA this year.