American Juli Inkster fired a bogey-free five-under 67 on Thursday for a share of the first-round lead with last year’s runner-up Suzann Pettersen at the US$1 million Lorena Ochoa Invitational.
World No. 1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan was alone in 34th after carding a four-over 76 after holing four bogies and one double-bogey. Tseng’s compatriot, Candie Kung, finished the day one shot better with a three-over 75.
Inkster, 51, is seeking to become the oldest winner in LPGA Tour history. Beth Daniel was 46 when she won the Canadian Women’s Open eight years ago.
South Korea’s Meena Lee shot a first round four-under 68, while Scotland’s Catriona Matthew was another stroke back in the 36-player field at Guadalajara Country Club.
American Michelle Wie was three strokes back at 70. Wie won this event in 2009. She was tied in a group that also includes Pak Se-ri, Maria Hjorth, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr and Sophie Gustafson.
Inkster’s last victory on the LPGA Tour was at the 2006 Safeway International and the last time she converted a first-round lead into a win was the 2003 Evian Ladies Masters. She has 31 career LPGA wins.
“I just put the ball on the fairway and made a couple putts,” Inkster said. “I didn’t have any bogeys, so it was nice.”
World No. 2 Pettersen already has two LPGA Tour victories this year.
Defending champion I.K. Kim had a 72 on Thursday.
Kim closed with an eight-under 64 last year en route to a tournament record 19-under winning total.
She beat Pettersen by three shots and donated half of her US$220,000 winner’s check to the Lorena Ochoa charitable foundation.
Additional reporting by Staff writer
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