Sherri Steinhauer has taken the lead after the first round of the US$1.5 million ShopRite LPGA Classic.
The 47-year-old, who was sidelined last year after surgeries on both hips, shot a 7-under 64 for a one-shot lead over Natalie Gulbis and Spain’s Tania Elosegui at the Bay Course at Seaview.
Brittany Lincicome, Suzann Pettersen and Paula Creamer, who is playing in her first event since surgery on her left wrist on March 31, were in another large group three shots back.
Also in that group were Taiwan’s Amy Hung, Yani Tseng and Teresa Lu. Compatriot Candie Kung was six shots off the lead after carding a one-under 70.
Steinhauer had six birdies, a a 9m eagle on No. 9 and only one blip, a bogey on No. 8 after a bad drive. Not bad for someone who had played in only five events this year and missed the cut in the past two, including last week’s State Farm Classic.
The road back has been a long one for Steinhauer. The eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour thought her career might be over in August 2008 when she missed the cut in the Canadian Open after two painful rounds. Steinhauer had surgery on her left hip in February last year. Three months later her right hip was fixed and the rehabilitation process started. She didn’t pick up a club until October, when she started hitting wedges. By the end of the month, she was taking full swings.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY STAFF WRITER
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