Women’s PGA Championship: American Lexi Thompson leads with Leona Maguire and Charley Hull two shots back after first round

USA’s Lexi Thompson moves into Women’s PGA Championship lead after opening round; Nelly Korda one shot back; Ireland’s Leona Maguire and England’s Charley Hull two shots back; Watch KPMG Women’s PGA Championship live on Sky Sports. Stream the LPGA Tour, majors and more with NOW

Lexi Thompson made a fast start as she fired a four-under-par 68 in the opening round of the Women’s PGA Championship, leading Nelly Korda by a shot, and Ireland’s Leona Maguire and England’s Charley Hull by two.

USA’s Thompson, who is retiring from full-time golf on the LPGA Tour at the end of the season, made three straight birdies to start her round at the Sahalee Country Club in Washington state.

She added three more to open a one-shot lead over Korda and Thailand’s Patty Tavatanakit.

Hull was among those a shot further back alongside Maguire, with England’s Jodi Ewart Shadoff on even par, two better than Georgia Hall, with Bronte Law a further stroke adrift.

Yuka Saso, who won the US Open three weeks ago, was among those on 74 after four consecutive bogeys on the back nine.

After finishing runner-up last week, Thompson shrugged off suggestions her retirement announcement had prompted an upturn in form.