In the opening round of the 2025 NW Arkansas Championship, some big (and unexpected) names are in firm contention.
Sarah Schmelzel holds a share of the lead at -8 after an incredible finish to her opening round. After a -2 front nine, Schmelzel caught fire starting with hole 14, finishing with four birdies plus an eagle on the final five holes.
Schmelzel hit 11/13 fairways and 14/18 greens, but when she had the flat stick she was truly elite with only 24 putts on the round in total. This would be Schmelzel’s first LPGA Tour win if she could finish it out.
Japan’s Minami Katsu is tied with Schmelzel at -8, incredibly hitting 12 fairways and 16 greens, playing essentially a perfect round.
Lilia Vu, who has made only one cut since March, shot -7 with a perfect 13/13 fairways hit on the round and 17 greens. Also at -7 is Alison Lee, who is playing in her second LPGA Tour event since giving birth earlier this year. Lee also hit every fairway and went -4 on her last four holes.
Danielle Kang, who hasn’t finished in the top 25 since February 2024, shot -6 in the first round. Kang has shown some positive results as of late, especially in earlier rounds. Kang didn’t have any dropped shots and made six birdies.
The second round of the NW Arkansas Championship continues tomorrow.
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