No 1 Thitikul struggles in the first round of the LPGA Singapore led by Kim

SINGAPORE (AP) — Top-ranked Jeeno Thitikul struggled during the first round of the HSBC Women’s World Championship on Thursday, shooting a 1-over 73 to trail the leader by seven strokes.

Thitikul won last week’s tournament in her native Thailand and is among nine out of the top 10 players entered in the Singapore LPGA stop on the Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course.

American Auston Kim birdied two of her final three holes for a 66 and a one-stroke lead over China's Yan Liu. Five players were tied for third with 68s, including No. 12-ranked Haeran Ryu.

Defending champion Lydia Ko had a 70, as did Brooke Henderson.

Kim said she opened with a 78 at the Singapore tournament last year.

“When I think about my game and myself as a golfer since last year ... I mean it obviously feels great to score well. But I just I feel like I can handle things a lot better and I’ve been talking with my mental coach, as well,” Kim said.

“There are a lot of things that I’ve changed and a lot of things I feel like I’m doing better. Today was a testament to what we’ve been working on, and I’m working hard on what I can control.”

Joining Thitikul among the top-ranked players well out of the lead were third-ranked Charley Hull and fourth-ranked Minjee Lee, who each shot 72.

No. 2-ranked Nelly Korda is the only player from the top 10 not in Singapore. The tournament is the second of three stops on the LPGA’s early year Asian swing, with the final one next week at Hainan Island, China.

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Minjee Lee of Australia tees off during the HSBC Women's World Championship at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

Charley Hull of England plays a shot during the HSBC World Championship of women's golf at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

Lydia Ko of New Zealand plays a tee shot during HSBC Women's World Championship 2026 at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

Auston Kim of the United States makes a putt shot on the 13th hole during the first round of the LPGA Honda Thailand golf tournament in Pattaya, Thailand, Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand reacts on the green during the HSBC World Championship of women's golf at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Suhaimi Abdullah)

AHMEDABAD, India (AP) — South Africa chose to field first against the West Indies in a heavyweight Super Eights clash at the T20 World Cup on Thursday.

One of them will lose for the first time in six matches at the tournament.

Ahmedabad’s red-soil pitch is expected to give some extra bounce to fast bowlers but both sides are packed with explosive hitters.

South Africa named the same squad that trounced co-host India on Sunday.

With plenty of left-handers in the Proteas batting lineup, West Indies included spin allrounder Roston Chase in place of Akeal Hosein.

Later Thursday, India takes on Zimbabwe in Chennai in a must-win game for both.

Lineups:

West Indies: Brandon King, Shai Hope (captain), Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Roston Chase, Romario Shepherd, Jason Holder, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

South Africa: Aiden Markram (captain), Quinton de Kock, Ryan Rickelton, Dewald Brevis, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

South Africa's captain Aiden Markram, left, and West Indies' captain Shai Hope move to shake hands after the coin toss of the T20 World Cup cricket match between South Africa and West Indies in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)