Koreans pace Ladies Masters

MANILA, Philippines —  Yunseo Lee and Jisun Kang shrugged off strengthening afternoon winds and slick putting surfaces to card flawless rounds, spearheading a bristling Korean charge in the opening round of the ICTSI Philippine Ladies Masters 2026 at Summit Point Golf and Country Club in Lipa, Batangas yesterday.

Both took advantage of early tee times on opposite nines, but it was Lee who delivered the day’s most impressive effort. Battling stiffer gusts on the back nine after an early start, the 18-year-old sophomore pro pieced together a brilliant six-under-par 66 to seize the solo lead in the $200,000 event kicking off the Taiwan LPGA Tour.

Kang, meanwhile, posted a solid 67 after starting on No. 1 in the day’s first group. She birdied Nos. 3, 6 and 9 to turn in three-under, then showed composure as conditions toughened, picking up birdies on Nos. 11 and 14 while narrowly missing chances to go even lower.

Lee managed just one birdie at the back, but once she made the turn, she caught fire.