BRADENTON, Fla. — Jennifer Kupcho experienced a renewed passion for golf in 2024, and she brought that enthusiasm to her first LPGA event this season, carding an impressive 6-under 65 on Thursday at the Founders Cup. This performance allows her to share the lead after the opening round with Nanna Koerstz Madsen.

Kupcho started the game strong, reaching 2 under by the turn, and continued to impress on the back nine by shooting a bogey-free 4-under 31 at the Bradenton Country Club. Despite being winless since her three victories, including a major at the Chevron Championship in 2022, she considers last year to have been her most consistent. “I think really last year I kind of fell in love with the game more, so I think I’m just kind of like bringing that into this year,” Kupcho reflected. “It’s just a game, so really just trying to enjoy it and have fun.”

Mental fortitude also played a significant role in Koerstz Madsen’s strong start to the 2025 season. “I think the biggest key for me is to be good mentally out there, just stay happy, not let the bad shots get too much to your head,” she noted.

Lauren Coughlin, who teamed up with Kupcho on the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup team last year, was just one stroke behind alongside Jin Hee Im and Angel Yin. “I think a lot of it is just what I’m doing is working in a certain sense,” Coughlin commented, reflecting on her two victories in 2024. “There are definitely still things I need to work on and get better, but a lot of what I do in my full swing, like I’ve been able to keep it strong for a really long time.”

Playing in her hometown, world number one Nelly Korda birdied the 18th hole and finished her round with a 68. Last year, she claimed a different event at Bradenton Country Club, marking the first of her seven wins in 2024. “It’s such a big golf community here. I think Florida as a whole has so much more to see. You have beautiful Sarasota, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Anna Maria Island. It’s kind of like a hidden gem,” Korda stated.

Among the competitors at 4 under were major champions Celine Boutier, Jin Young Ko, and Jeongeun Lee6. Lexi Thompson, who has opted for a reduced schedule this year, began with a 69. Her score could have been lower had it not been for an unfortunate deflection off the flagstick on the par-4 13th hole.