South Korea’s Hye-Jin Choi lit up the opening round of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, carding a sparkling nine-under 61 to grab the first-round lead at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. On a par-70 layout that rewarded aggressive, precise golf, Choi’s round was two shots clear of a familiar name chasing hard: world-class star Nelly Korda.
What Happened
Choi set the pace with a bogey-free blitz, posting 61 to sit alone at the top of the leaderboard at nine under par. It was exactly the kind of statement start players dream of at a marquee late-season event, and it immediately put the rest of the field on the back foot.
Nelly Korda, one of the biggest draws in the women’s game, answered with a seven-under 63 to slot into second place, two strokes adrift. Behind her, Denmark’s Nicole Broch Estrup and China’s Jing Yan each signed for 64 to share third at six under, with Lindy Duncan also reaching six under while still out on the course.
A large logjam formed at five under, where England’s rising talent Lottie Woad, Sweden’s Frida Kinhult, Japan’s Erika Hara and China’s Yan Liu were among a cluster of players who fired 65s. Big names Charley Hull and Rose Zhang were also well inside the top 20 at three under with their rounds still in progress.
The ANNIKA, which runs November 12-15, 2026, carries a $3.25 million purse and is one of the LPGA Tour’s prestige events, named in honor of golf legend Annika Sorenstam. Linn Grant arrived as the defending champion, but it is Choi who holds the early advantage on a Pelican course clearly there for the taking.
Why It Matters
Pelican Golf Club is a relatively short, strategic par 70, and when the greens are receptive it can yield very low numbers — Choi’s 61 proved the point emphatically. That sets up the prospect of a birdie-fest shootout over the weekend rather than a grind, which usually means drama right to the 72nd hole.
For Korda, the week is another chance to add a trophy in a season where she has remained one of the sport’s marquee attractions. The American has been selective with her schedule — we covered why Korda opted to skip the inaugural Women’s TGL season — so a strong showing here would be a timely reminder of her firepower heading into the off-season. The chasing pack is deep, too, with recent winners in form; Jeeno Thitikul, for instance, just claimed her fourth title of 2026 at the LOTTE Championship.
There is also a generational storyline brewing. Lottie Woad, one of the most hyped young players in the women’s game, is lurking at five under, a reminder that the ANNIKA’s strong field blends established champions with the next wave of stars.
What This Means For You
A round of 61 is not built on booming drives alone — it is built on relentless birdie conversion, and that comes from the short game and the putter. The practical lesson for everyday golfers watching Choi is simple: the fastest way to shave strokes is rarely another 10 yards off the tee, it is tidier chipping and sharper distance control on the greens.
If you want to bottle a little of that low-scoring magic, start with speed control on the greens. Our guide to lag putting and distance control breaks down how the best players eliminate three-putts, while learning how to chip from a tight lie will help you get up-and-down from the spots that wreck amateur scorecards. Master those two skills and your own version of a career round becomes a lot more achievable — no 61 required.
Key Takeaways
- Hye-Jin Choi opened The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican with a nine-under 61 to lead Round 1 by two shots.
- Nelly Korda is the closest pursuer at seven-under 63, with Nicole Broch Estrup, Jing Yan and Lindy Duncan a shot further back at six under.
- A crowded group at five under includes rising star Lottie Woad; Charley Hull and Rose Zhang are also inside the top 20.
- The $3.25 million LPGA event at Pelican Golf Club (par 70) runs November 12-15, 2026, with Linn Grant defending.
- Low scoring points to a weekend shootout — and a reminder that amateurs save most strokes through better putting and short game.
