Ashleigh Buhai carded eight birdies in a seven-under par 65 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the LPGA Queen City Championship as she vies to finish strong in an injury-disrupted year.

Ashleigh Buhai is leading the Kroger Queen City Championship with a 65. She's coming off two weeks off because the South African is not eligible for the Solheim Cup.

Ashleigh Buhai’s round included eight birdies and just one bogey, as she put her injury problems behind her this year to edge ahead of Thailand’s Jeeno Thitkul and China’s Yan Liu.

Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa set the early pace at the Kroger Queen City Championship with a 7-under-par 65 in the first round Thursday in Maineville, Ohio.

Ashleigh Buhai of South Africa lines up a putt on the third green during the first round of the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G 2024 at TPC River's Bend on September 19, 2024 in Maineville, Ohio.

Ashleigh Buhai carded eight birdies in a seven-under par 65 on Thursday (Friday in Manila) to take a one-stroke lead in the LPGA Queen City Championship as she vies to finish strong in an injury-disrupted year.