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Kuehne shoots bogey-free round to take lead in Hawaii

Annika Sorenstam follows her drive off the 10th tee during the first round of the SBS Open in Hawaii on Thursday. PHOTO: AP

Kelli Kuehne shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the US LPGA Tour's season-opening SBS Open on Thursday.

Annika Sorenstam, coming off an injury-shortened season where she failed to win in the US for the first time since her rookie season in 1994, opened with a 70 -- matching playing partner and defending champion Paula Creamer.

South Korea's Jacqueline Yang had a 68, and 10-time winner Cristie Kerr was another stroke back along with Meena Lee, Lindsey Wright, Wendy Ward, Erica Blasberg, Oh Ji-young and 45-year-old Sherri Steinhauer.

Suzann Pettersen of Norway, second to Lorena Ochoa on last year's money list, had trouble finding her range and was visibly upset during her opening round of 74. She played with new clubs and balls from Nike. She made the switch from Taylor Made clubs and Titleist balls despite having a breakout season last year when she won five times, including the US LPGA Championship. Pettersen missed the SBS cut last year.

Kuehne was in the second group off the 10th tee and took advantage of the tranquil morning conditions.

"I hit it well and I made a couple putts, so I'm certainly not complaining about my first round of '08," said Kuehne, whose best finish last year was a tie for 24th at the MasterCard Classic. She tied for 25th a year ago at Turtle Bay.

The 30-year-old Kuehne attacked the pins with several strong wedge shots from about 100 yards and made a move just before the turn by birdieing Nos. 16-18. She made a 60-foot birdie putt on the par-3 fourth to reach 5 under.

"It was a bomb," she said. "I was lucky."

She won the 1999 LPGA Corning Classic but has struggled in the past three years with only one top-10 finish. She finished fourth at Q-school to earn exempt status this season.

"Some bumps and bruises along the way. You get knocked down, you've got to get back up," Kuehne said. "I've certainly struggled. I think the struggle definitely taught me to be humble to say the least."

Yang, known previously as Yang Young-A, is seeking her first win in 121 starts. Her best finish last year was a 21st-place tie at the Wegmans LPGA.

It was overcast and mostly calm on the Palmer Course, except for the raging surf on the North Shore.

Sorenstam was playing at Turtle Bay for the first time and beginning her season a month earlier than usual. She is making her first appearance in Hawaii since winning the 2002 LPGA Takefuji Classic at Waikoloa.

"It's different to play in Hawaii," she said. "This is an important year for me. I want to come back and of course you want to start well."

Sorenstam is determined to reclaim the No. 1 ranking after being limited to 13 events last year because of neck and back injuries.

The Swede opened her round with a birdie and three-putted the next hole for bogey. She also missed several makable birdie putts, including a 4-footer on the par-5 14th that lipped out.

Sorenstam and Creamer dropped long birdie putts on No. 16 to reach 3 under and pull within two strokes of the lead. They both double-bogeyed the par-4 17th. Sorenstam's drive sailed right into the bunker and she cringed as her short chip shot rolled back to near where she was standing.

After splitting the fairway with her drive, Creamer's second shot went into the rough. She chunked her chip, sending the ball flying over the green.

Sorenstam and Creamer both birdied the par-5 18th to get to 2 under. The group at 70 also included Michelle Ellis, Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, Meg Mallon, Gloria Park, Kim In-kyung, Laura Diaz, Paige Mackenzie, Taiwanese rookie Tseng Ya-ni, Mikaela Parmlid and Sandra Gal.
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