Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa recovered to finish only three shots behind leaders Lorie Kane of Canada and Emily Bastel in the US LPGA Championship on Thursday in her bid to win three straight majors.
“Today was important just not to get away too far from the leaders, and that’s why I’m so happy that I did,” Ochoa said. “Three under for the first day of a major is good, even though I had the double bogey. And hopefully, tomorrow I’ll have a great round.”
Neither of the leaders have had a top 10 all year, and Kane has struggled to make cuts. But they found their way across a long and soggy Bulle Rock golf course, with took on so much rain overnight that fairways felt like carpet in a home that had been flooded.
“Am I surprised by a low round? I knew it was in me, and I know I have a lot more of those,” Kane said. “I know it’s a long way to Sunday, but I am encouraged by what’s been happening the last few weeks.”
Bastel finished her bogey-free 66 with a hybrid into 12 feet for birdie on the 18th hole, one of two holes where the tees were moved up some 30 yards to accommodate the wet conditions.
She won the Futures Tour money title a year ago, and is slowly making progress.
“It’s exciting to have this happen,” said Bastel, playing in only her sixth major. “Early in the week, just try to enjoy it and keep it going.”
Lindsey Wright had a 67 and was one shot behind, followed by a group at 68 that included Nicole Castrale.
■ WEEKLEY TOPS ST JUDE
AFP, MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE
Boo Weekley grabbed a one-shot lead on Thursday after the opening round of the US$6 million St. Jude Championship, the last tuneup event before the US Open.
Weekley fired a five-under-par 65 at TPC Southwind, nabbing six birdies with just one bogey.
“I drove the ball well today for a change and my irons were superb,” Weekley said. “I hit my irons real good, and then my putting, my putting was excellent today.”
Tommy Armour was alone in second on 66, with Fiji’s Vijay Singh a further shot back on 67.
A group of seven players were tied for fourth on two-under, including Davis Love, Spain’s Sergio Garcia, Justin Leonard and Aussie Stuart Appleby.
Defending champion Woody Austin stumbled out of the gate with a one-over 71. He had two birdies and a double-bogey on the par-three 14th, the dropped another shot at 17.
The tournament is the last US PGA Tour stop before the US Open at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Many of the top Open contenders are taking the week off, but for some in Memphis it’s a chance to hone their games prior to the second major championship of the year.
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