Mariel Galdiano opened The Standard Portland Classic with a 7-under-par 65 on Thursday, taking a one-stroke lead after the first round at Columbia-Edgewater Country Club in Portland, Oregon.
Galdiano, playing in one of the first groups of the day, posted a round that held up atop the leaderboard. The 28-year-old from Hawaii made nine birdies and two bogeys on the tree-lined course while making her fourth LPGA Tour start of the year.
Maria Jose Marin, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur champion, was part of a seven-player group one shot behind at 66. Arpichaya Yubol, Olivia Cowan, Grace Kim, Hye-Jin Choi, Lauren Walsh and Bianca Pagdanganan also shared second after the opening day.
Galdiano sets the early pace in Portland
Galdiano began from the first tee in the second group of the morning and established the number to beat with her 65. Her nine birdies offset two bogeys and gave her the early advantage in an event featuring a tightly packed group just behind her.
“Every start on the LPGA means a lot to me, so just enjoy the moment really,” Galdiano said.
The former UCLA player said she feels comfortable in the Pacific Northwest, describing Portland as a relatively close trip from Hawaii and saying she felt relaxed at Columbia-Edgewater.
That relaxed start proved significant as the afternoon groups finished without anyone matching Galdiano’s 65. Instead, the lead remained at one shot, with seven players positioned directly behind her entering the next round.
Marin’s 66 was particularly notable after the 20-year-old made five consecutive birdies on the front nine. The Colombian amateur is preparing for her senior season at Arkansas, where she was the 2025 NCAA individual champion.
Marin said the round helped restore confidence after she did not play her best golf following the British Open. Her father is serving as her caddie, and she said she trusted the reads he provided throughout the round.
“I think I reached like a flow state that I haven’t reached in a while,” Marin said. “After the British Open I didn’t play my best golf, and I think getting that confidence back with this round is all that I needed.”
Seven players share second as the chase takes shape
The group at 66 ensured there was little separation after the first round. Marin and Yubol were afternoon starters, while Cowan, Kim, Choi, Walsh and Pagdanganan played in the morning. All began the tournament one stroke behind Galdiano.
Haeran Ryu headed a large group at 67. Ryu arrived in Portland after winning consecutive majors this year at the KPMG Women’s PGA and Evian Championship, placing her among the players close enough to the lead after Thursday’s opening round.
Lexi Thompson opened with a 73. With the leaderboard still compressed after 18 holes, Galdiano’s 65 remains the early standard, but the seven players at 66 and the group at 67 leave the tournament closely contested heading into the second round.
