Liu Leads a Packed Arkansas Board With Hull One Shot Back

Yu Liu opened the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship with an 8-under 63 to take a one-shot lead over Charley Hull and Celine Boutier at Pinnacle Country Club. Liu’s lowest round of the season put her alone on top as she continues to chase her first LPGA victory. Hull and Boutier both shot 64, while Caley McGinty, Lottie Woad, Gaby López, Manon De Roey and Aki Iwai are another shot back at 6-under.

There was almost no margin for merely good golf Friday. Eight players shot 65 or better, and a 4-under 67 was only good enough for a share of 10th. Hull returned to this event for the first time since finishing fifth in 2022 and immediately put herself in contention, while three-time LPGA winner López went bogey-free for her 65.