Bold takeaway: Even early in the 2026 season, the HSBC World Championship leaderboard shows tight scoring and rising stars jockeying for position, with several top players already delivering strong starts and a few surprises lurking in the field. But here’s where it gets interesting: the mix of amateurs alongside seasoned pros hints at a depth that could reshape the leaderboard as the rounds unfold.
Round 1 status: In progress
Key players and early scores (through R1):
- Mimi Rhodes, -3 today, 37 total
- Haeran Ryu, -3 today, 37 total
- Miyu Yamashita, -3 today, 17 total
- Gemma Dryburgh, -2 today, 42 total
- Brooke Matthews, -2 today, 42 total
- Ariya Jutanugarn, -2 today, 38 total
- Lindy Duncan, -2 today, 30 total
- Gurleen Kaur, -2 today, 22 total
- Yan Liu, -2 today, 13 total
- Linn Grant, -2 today, 13 total
- Stephanie Kyriacou, -2 today, 10 total
Other notable ties:
- Hye-Jin Choi, -1 today, 43 total
- Leona Maguire, -1 today, 43 total
- Jin Hee Im, -1 today, 39 total
- Wei-Ling Hsu, -1 today, 31 total
- Brooke M. Henderson, -1 today, 31 total
- Mi Hyang Lee, -1 today, 26 total
- Megan Khang, -1 today, 23 total
- Hyo Joo Kim, -1 today, 19 total
- Esther Henseleit, -1 today, 19 total
- Sei Young Kim, -1 today, 14 total
- Jeeno Thitikul, -1 today, 14 total
- Minjee Lee, -1 today, 11 total
Notes and glossary references:
- (a): Amateur
- *: 10th Hole Tee Start
What to watch as rounds continue:
- The -3 and -2 groups lead early momentum, but with the tournament still wide open, a handful of players within striking distance could surge in favorable conditions or on the back nine.
- Amateur entrants performing alongside established stars may surprise audiences with fearless play and potential breakout moments.
anga: As the competition unfolds, expect shifts in the leaderboard as players adapt to course setup, weather changes, and pressure. Which players do you think will capitalize on early momentum, and who might surprise us in the next round? Share your thoughts in the comments.
