01니시무라 유나의 무결점 플레이, 아칸소에서 빛난 정교한 샷감
일본의 니시무라 유나가 미국여자프로골프(LPGA) 투어 월마트 NW 아칸소 챔피언십 첫날 불방망이 타격감을 과시하며 리더보드 최상단을 점령했다. 니시무라는 대회 1라운드에서 63타를 기록하며 경쟁자들을 따돌리고 기분 좋은 출발을 알렸다.
이번 라운드에서 니시무라는 정교한 샷 감각을 앞세워 코스를 완벽하게 공략했다. 특히 안정적인 경기 운영을 바탕으로 18홀 내내 집중력을 유지하며 타수를 줄여 나갔으며, 2위에 1타 차로 앞선 단독 선두 자리를 꿰차며 우승을 향한 강력한 발판을 마련했다.
지난 시즌 데뷔 이후 꾸준한 성적을 거둬온 니시무라 유나가 이번 대회에서 생애 첫 LPGA 투어 우승 트로피를 들어 올릴 수 있을지 골프 팬들의 이목이 집중되고 있다. 남은 라운드에서도 현재의 샷감을 유지하는 것이 우승 향방의 최대 관건이 될 전망이다.
02Original (English) — LPGA
Yuna Nishimura of Japan plays her shot from the fifth tee during the first round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G 2026 at Pinnacle Country Club on September 25, 2026 in Rogers, Arkansas.
Jennifer Meyer is the Manager of Digital Operations. Jennifer has worked with the LPGA for more than a decade, working with the LPGA and Epson Tours to manage, develop, maintain, and update website content.
Yuna Nishimura fired a career-low, 8-under 63 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead after the opening round of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship presented by P&G.
The 26-year-old from Japan put together a flawless, bogey-free performance at Pinnacle Country Club, recording six birdies and capping off her round with an eagle on the par-5 18th hole.
Nishimura was pinpoint from tee to green, hitting all 13 fairways and hitting all 18 greens in regulation.
"I really went for the last putt," Nishimura said through a translator about her closing eagle. "I wanted to make it so I kind of went aggressively and it went in, so I'm hoping it's going to continue tomorrow."
People’s Republic of China's Yu Liu sits one shot back in second place after opening with a 7-under 64. A large group tied for third at 6-under 65 included Charley Hull, Celine Boutier, and Amy Yang.
Nishimura entered the week looking for momentum in what has been an up-and-down season, having made six cuts in 15 starts with a top-10 finish—a tie for fifth alongside playing partner Ayaka Furue at the Dow Championship—marking her best result.
"I've been struggling with my shots recently, but today everything went well," Nishimura said. "It's day one, but I'm in a good mood. Hopefully it continues."
Nishimura noted that the course setup played to her comfort zone, adding that Pinnacle Country Club resembles courses she plays in Japan.