Laetitia Beck Takes the Lead at ShopRite LPGA with Career-Low Round
In Galloway, New Jersey, Laetitia Beck shot an impressive 8-under 63, her lowest score on the LPGA Tour, to take the lead at the ShopRite LPGA. She is ahead of Nicole Broch Estrup, a new mom from Denmark, by one shot. Beck, the first Israeli player on the LPGA Tour, had a strong putting day with only 25 putts.
Broch Estrup, returning to the tour after a 15-month maternity leave, made a remarkable comeback with seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch. Her son, Max, who is almost a year old, is accompanying her on the tour. The 33-year-old Dane last played in February 2025 and is grateful for the LPGA policy that allows players to return to the same status after giving birth.
Briana Chacon, Arpichaya Yubol, and Polly Mack are tied at 65 after the first round, with Chacon holing out for eagle on the 16th hole. Notable players like Charley Hull and defending champion Jennifer Kupcho struggled in the opening round with scores of 74.
The ShopRite LPGA is a 54-hole event on the LPGA Tour, but it did not attract a strong field due to the upcoming U.S. Women's Open next week. Beck, despite her experience on the tour, remains focused on the present and is not getting ahead of herself after her career-low round.
Beck's consistent play off the tee and sharp putting skills have put her in a good position after the first round. With the tournament still ongoing, she is determined to maintain her composure and continue playing her best golf to stay at the top of the leaderboard.