Emma Talley was alone at the top of the leaderboard when she walked off the Old American Golf Club course following her round just before noon Thursday at the Volunteers of America Classic at The Colony, near Dallas, Texas.
Talley had seven birdies and just one bogey in the first round of the tournament, including three straight birdies on Nos. 13-15.
Talley hit all 13 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation. She needed just 25 putts.
Her 6-under-par 65 equaled her lowest rounds ever on the LPGA Tour.
Talley also shot a 6-under 65 in the Walmart Northwest Arkansas Championship in August of 2020. She went on to place 21st in that event.
Talley had a 7-under 65 in the Thornberry Creek LPGA CLassic in July of 2019. She finished 35th in that event.
While Talley held the lead briefly on Thursday, she will enter the second round on Friday tied for fourth place.
Jin Young Ko put together a run on her second nine on Thursday, recording birdies on six of eight holes while finishing with an 8-under-par round of 63.
Jeongeun Lee6 and In Gee Chun are both 7-under after 18 holes while Talley and Min-G Kim are both at 6-under.
Talley will tee off in the second round at 12:20 p.m. on Friday.
