2024 KPMG Women's PGA: Lexi Thompson leads after round one

We're not going to get too ahead of ourselves, but the leaderboard after the first round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship is setting up for a great three days ahead. There's a good mix of Major champions, big name players, nationalities and obvious star quality.

Shining bright at the top is one of the biggest stars of them all. Lexi Thompson kickstarted her KPMG Women's PGA Championship campaign with three straight birdies and was four-under-par as she made the turn. Two birdies and two bogies on the back nine cancelled each other out and she would sign for a very respectable 68 and hold a one shot lead. That was no mean feat on Sahalee's narrow and course, with quite a lot of wind on Thursday.

"I kind of clicked onto something with my golf swing just trying to simplify things out there and visualize my shots and be more comfortable. I don't think that has to do with announcing what I did. It's just a matter of being comfortable out there, playing free-swing Lexi I guess. Just enjoying being out there every step of the way. Fans have been amazing at each and every tournament so grateful being out there."

Watch round one highlights from the 70th KPMG Women's PGA Championship

With a new caddie on the bag, the American is feeling more comfortable and relaxed on the golf course and ultimately feels in a better frame of mind mentally, which should stand her in good stead for the rest of the week:

"I wouldn't say it ever feels easy, especially not on this golf course. No, I mean, yes, it feels easier on the mind. There is always that matter that you don't want to get too far ahead of yourself and just staying in the moment. Golf is a frustrating game and it can switch very quickly. You just try to build on the good shots and keep positive out there. You're going to hit bad ones and just have to let them go as quickly as possible."

Nelly Korda rights the ship

After the disappointment of missing cuts on her last two events, including the previous Major at the U.S. Women's Open, Nelly Korda may not have felt she had anything to prove but we're sure a three-under-par 69 will go a long way to improve her confidence. The World Number one even came back from a double bogey on what was her 13th hole of the day, after starting on the back nine.

"Not only is it hard and demanding off the tee, it's really hard with your second shots in. It's hard to take the opportunities when you can and be aggressive out here, because I feel like in the morning you can definitely be a little bit more aggressive with a majority of the pins being in the shade and a little softer. But once the greens start to see a little bit more sunlight they start firm up a bit more and you have to play a little bit more defensive. Any single time I can shoot under par in a major I think that's a positive. Hopefully that will just give me good momentum going into the next few days."

Bogey-free from Patty Tavatanakit

Sharing second is fellow Chevron Championship winner Patty Tavatanakit. Having won twice at the beginning of the year, once on the LET and once on the LPGA, the Thai player has been a little quieter in recent months.

Tavatanakit was the only player in the field to go bogey-free on Thursday, a steady three birdies and 15 pars:

"Actually, surprised myself to be able to do that. This course has its teeth for sure. I feel like you hit good drives, and a couple of drives I hit really good today and I ended up getting blocked by the trees. So just got to take it shot by shot and just play what's in front of you.

"I just played really freely today. Felt like my swings were committed and confident, so I think that's just helped. If you hit it straight and far it is an advantage at any given course, so that has been something I've worked really hard over like couple years now. So it's good to see that it's paying off."

Solheim Cup starts and Major winners chasing

There are a group of 11 players who are a further shot back at two-under-par, which includes European Solheim Cup stars Charley Hull, Leona Maguire, Celine Boutier and Madelene Sagstrom. As well as Major Champion Boutier, there are fellow Major winners Allisen Corpuz and Hinako Shibuno in the group. With 21 players currently under par.

Defending Champion Ruoning Yin is in the group at one-under-par and 2016 KPMG PGA Championship winner Brooke Henderson, who won the last playing at Sahalee is one-over-par.

The cut line is currently set at around three-over-par but this is likely to increase as we get further into play on Friday. One thing is for sure, these players appreciate the beauty of Sahalee but they're not fooled by it - another day of tough challenges awaits.

View the full 70th KPMG Women's PGA Championship leaderboard here. Live coverage of the second round starts at 11pm BST on Sky Sports Golf.

Inspired by the third women's Major of the season? Why not come and watch the best players in the world at the AIG Women's Open this summer at St Andrews. Ticket prices start from £20.