Minami Katsu made a remarkable showing at the LPGA Shanghai tournament, setting both the 18-hole and 36-hole scoring records with a total of 13-under par after two rounds, highlighted by her six birdies on the front nine and a total of 12 birdies in her round.

Katsu, a 27-year-old Japanese golfer, finished her round with a long putt on the 18th hole to take a two-shot lead at the halfway point, emphasizing her relaxed approach and focus on enjoying the game rather than obsessing over victory.

Her performance has positioned her well for her first LPGA victory, with her total score after two rounds standing at 13-under, and she described her round as 'pretty flawless'.

Meanwhile, Inna Yoon is in second place at 11-under, with Americans Jenny Bae and Lindy Duncan close behind; Bae had a difficult finish with a triple-bogey on the 18th, dropping her to a 69 for the round.

World No.1 Jeeno Thitikul, with a second-round 70, is tied for fifth at 9-under, alongside fellow Thai Arpichaya Yubol and Korean Somi Lee, maintaining a competitive stance as the tournament progresses.

This tournament is the first of five in Asia, including stops in South Korea, Malaysia, and Japan, with a two-week break for the International Crown team event in South Korea.

The LPGA Tour has seen a diverse array of winners this year, with last week marking the sixth different winner on the tour, as Korean golfer Youmin Hwang extended this trend.

The event in Shanghai highlights the global reach of the LPGA, with players from various countries competing across Asia in a series of tournaments.

Katsu emphasized a relaxed mindset, focusing on enjoying her game and keeping things simple, which has contributed to her impressive performance.

Last week, Yoon Hwang became the sixth different winner on the LPGA Tour in 2025, continuing the season's trend of diverse winners.

Minjee Lee, ranked No.4 globally, struggled with consistency, finishing with a 71 after a series of 17 pars, and is now tied for eighth at eight under par.

Katsu's strong performance after two rounds has her aiming for her first LPGA victory, and she is confident about maintaining her focus for the remaining days.

Katsu described her round as 'pretty flawless,' acknowledged some luck, and plans to keep her approach simple moving forward.