Britain’s Melissa Reid, American Morgan Pressel and Ahn Sun-ju of South Korea shared the first round lead at the Evian Masters on Thursday after they all shot six under par 66. The three 22-year-olds led by a shot from a pair of South Koreans, M.J. Hur and Kim Song-hee.
For England’s Reid, an eight-birdie round on a day of steamy heat and the odd heavy shower of rain was the perfect aperitif before she headed for the more risky pursuit of the annual Evian Masters invitational soccer match.
With French legend Zinedine Zidane also on the park, a star-struck Reid said: “Football is my second sport and it will be fantastic to play alongside Zidane. It’s going to be a day to remember.”
PHOTO: AFP
On the golf course, the highlight was a run of five birdies in six holes from the fifth and it ended with her holing “a monster of a putt” at the 10th.
“I’ve been working on my putting, changed my posture a little, and it paid off today,” she said. “It’s great to get to play alongside all the world stars this week. I don’t often get a chance to compete against the big girls, and it’s nice to know you can match them.”
Pressel opened her round with a sparkling run with three straight birdies and added four more. Her only mistake was a bogey at the 13th.
“It was a solid day and I only missed one green,” said Pressel, who has managed to add some power to her game this season. “I have added length. It’s 75 percent a change of technique and 25 percent down to some tinkering with my Callaway clubs and my work in the gym.”
Ahn was a late finisher and had to cope with a monsoon of a shower. But she still surged to the top thanks to a birdie at the 16th and an eagle at the par five 18th.
Michelle Wie, who was second in 2005 and third the following year, had dropped out of the Pro-am on Wednesday due to dehydration, but she showed plenty of stamina in an opening 68 that earned a share of sixth place along with Taiwan’s Yani Tseng.
Japan’s Ai Miyazato, the defending champion and world No.1, was also handily placed on 69, while this season’s pair of American major winners were still well within striking distance. Paula Cremer, the US Women’s Open Champion, had a 71 and Cristie Kerr birdied the last for a 72.
Taiwan’s Teresa Lu finished on 73 with compatriot Amy Hung a shot further back.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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