By: Max Bechtoldt
Japan’s Ayaka Furue put on a show in the first round of the 2024 Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions, posting an opening score -7 65. It was the lowest score anyone has shot at Lake Nona on the LPGA Tour.
Furue birdied seven holes with no bogeys, three on her first side and four on her last nine, including on the par 3 sixth and par 3 17th. She didn’t miss a fairway going 14/14. Furue went 17/18 on greens in regulation and had just 28 putts. On 18 she hit a long putt for birdie to finish her round strong.
Hitting greens at Lake Nona is essential, considering how severe the slopes on the green are. Furue was strong in proximity and didn’t hit into a bunker all day.
Furue earned her spot in the Tournament of Champions with her win in the 2022 Scottish Open at Dundonald Links. Though she only has one LPGA win, she has eight wins on the LPGA Tour of Japan, and has established herself as of late as one of the many rising stars from Japan.
It is a strong start for Furue, but with a loaded field and still three more rounds, the job isn’t finished quite yet.
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