Bunched leaderboard at LPGA's Dana Open

The large group at 66 included Lexi Thompson, Lydia Ko and Leona Maguire of Ireland.

One back in the group behind them is US Women's Open champion Minjee Lee, who leads the Race to the CME Globe.

The Australian had a blemish-free 67 that included birdies on the first, fourth, ninth and 13th. 

The 19-year-old Yin has been coping with a wrist injury and missed four straight cuts on the LPGA Tour. Her last appearance was in mid-July, though she played two Epson Tour events.

Her one goal was to play bogey-free, and that ended on the par-3 eighth hole.

"I was so mad after that," she said. "I just tried to make some birdies."

Choi did most of her work early in the round and was poised to take the lead until the South Korean had to settle for pars on the back-to-back par 5s at Highland Meadow. Ciganda played in the morning and finished her round with a two-putt birdie on the 18th.

Maguire returned to an area that brought good memories. She played some of her best golf at Inverness last summer in leading Europe to victory in the Solheim.

Ko is a two-time winner who has reason to feel she should have three. She had the tournament won two years ago when she gave away a late lead and then chunked a chip that rolled back into the bunker on the 18th, leading to bogey and a runner-up finish.

Still, the Kiwi star has nothing but positive vibes at Highland Meadows.

"It's always nice to come back to a place that you've played well at. I've had good finishes outside of winning, so it's nice to kind of draw back on those memories," she said.

Her two wins were in 2014 and 2016.

"But at the same time, my game has changed a lot I think over the last few years, so I feel like I'm playing some holes a lot differently," Ko said.

Gianna Clemente had a 73. The 14-year-old Ohio native was a Monday qualifier in Canada last week, and she made it through Monday qualifying again for the Dana Open.

Young Australian Stephanie Kyriacou shot an even-par 71.