P.K. Kongkraphan, a two-time winner on this year’s TLPGA Tour, fought through a little rains and wind on Wednesday to snatch the first-round lead at the 2023 GRIN Cup Charity Open. She carded a 4-under 68 to build a three-shot advantage already.

Chang Hsuan-Ping (張瑄屏), Kuo Ai-Chen (郭艾榛), Miki Yamashita, and Kongkraphan’s compatriot Kultida Pramphun sit in equal second on 1-under.

Kongkraphan took a surprisingly aggressive approach to the Taiwan Golf Course (nicknamed by the locals as “Old Tamsui Course”), which is rated one of the most challenging courses by local players.

“I see many players being super cautious, especially in today’s inconsistent weather. I think my inexperience on this course kind of helped me in a way, that I was not too afraid to go for my shots,” said the 2023 WPG Ladies Open and Friends of TLPGA Open champion.

Kongkraphan needed just two shots to land on the greens of all four par-5s, and it took her just one driver hit to find the green on the par-4 5th hole.

“It could’ve been a struggle on the 18th, where I hit past the hole into an awkward position, but then I came up with probably one of my best putts today to finish with a down-hill 15-footer curving from left to right,” Kongkraphan said of her final-hole birdie.

Chang Hsuan-Ping started a bit slow, making just one birdie while committing three bogeys on the outward nine. “The wind was coming from all directions. I found it really hard to build my momentum until it finally settled down after the turn. I tried not to overthink the wind effects from the tees and just let my game flow,” said Chang, who felt proud to close the round in red number.

Kuo Ai-Chen needed a couple of painkillers to minimize the tension she felt in her left neck. “I pulled my neck muscles a little in yesterday’s pro-am event. It still felt tight and sore but I tried not the pay attention to it,” said Kuo.

If not for a slip of concentration on the 10th and 11th, which cost her two bogeys, Kuo had a perfect day at the office with three birdies along the way, keeping herself in contention. She needed just 25 putts.

In the four-way tie for second was Pramphun, who made five birdies and four bogeys. In fact, three of her four bogeys came from the par-3s. Fortunately, she was able to convert her chances on the par-5s to finish in red figure. Japan’s Miki Yamashita, also on 1-under par, left a few opportunities on the greens and returned with two birdies and one bogey.

Defending champion Juliana Hung (洪玉霖) made three consecutive bogeys from no.8, which pulled her down into equal 12th on 2-over.

Second-round action is set to begin at 6:30 tomorrow morning from the first and tenth tees. Four hole-in-one prizes will be up for grabs on Hole no.2, 8, 10, and 17.