Nasa Hataoka surges past Jeeno Thitikul, leads after 1st round of LPGA Tournament of Champions

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Nasa Hataoka of Japan shot 6-under 66 and had a one-shot lead over LPGA player of the year Jeeno Thitikul, Chanettee Wannasaen, Lottie Woad and Linn Grant following the first round of the season-opening Tournament of Champions.

Hataoka played the back nine at chilly Lake Nona Golf & Country in 4 under to pick up where she left off at the end of last season. She won the Japan Classic in a playoff with Yuna Araki in November for her first LPGA victory in nearly three years.

Thitikul is coming off not just her best season but one of the best in LGPA history.

She won the the Tour Championship in November for her third win of the year, finished second at The Evian Championship and fourth at the Women's PGA Championship, and the Thai star ended up with the lowest scoring averaging in the tour’s 75-year history.

Thitikul had six birdies and a bogey Thursday to once again climb the leaderboard in a tournament open to LPGA winners from the past two seasons. Wannasaen had seven birdies during her round of 67, Grant birdied her last two holes to match them at 5 under, and Woad reached 6 under before a bogey at the par-4 finishing hole dropped her back.

Nelly Korda was joined by Amy Yang and Linn Grant another shot back.

The highlight for Korda, who finished second at the Tournament of Champions last year, came on the 406-yard, par-4 seventh. Her approach from the middle of the fairway bounced onto the green, rolled toward the hole and bounced off the flagstick, leaving her a tap-in birdie. Korda eventually reached 6 under before a couple of late bogeys left her with a round of 68.

Defending champion A Lim Kim was in a group at 3 under that included Lydia Ko and Ingrid Lindblad.

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Nelly Korda tees off on the ninth hole during the first round of the Tournament of Champions LPGA golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Lottie Woad of England, watches the flight of the ball after hitting from the seventh fairway during the first round of the Tournament of Champions LPGA golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, tees off on the first hole during the first round of the Tournament of Champions LPGA golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Mets signed reliever Craig Kimbrel to a minor league contract Thursday with an invitation to big league spring training, giving the nine-time All-Star an opportunity to pitch for his 10th different team should he make the club.

The 37-year-old Kimbrel was 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA while pitching in 14 games for the Braves and Astros last season. He also spent time in the Rangers organization, appearing in 24 games for their Triple-A affiliate before being released without a call-up.

Kimbrel is 56-48 over 16 seasons, including stints with the Padres, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Dodgers, Phillies and Orioles. The former NL Rookie of the Year ranks fourth among relievers with 1,282 career strikeouts and fifth in saves with 440.

The Mets also signed Austin Barnes to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. The 36-year-old catcher hit .214 over 13 games with the Dodgers last season, then spent most of the rest of the season in the Giants minor league system.

Meanwhile, the Nationals claimed left-hander Richard Lovelady off waivers from the Mets and designated utility player Mickey Gasper for assignment. Lovelady is 5-13 with three saves and a 5.35 ERA over parts of six major league seasons.

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FILE - Houston Astros relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Houston, Aug. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, File)