Japan’s Ai Miyazato fired a first-round 63 on Thursday to seize the spotlight at LPGA star Lorena Ochoa’s farewell event.
Miyazato’s 10-under effort was the best round of her LPGA career in relation to par and the player who won the first two events of the LPGA season positioned herself for a run at the Tres Marias Championship title.
Spanish rookie Azahara Munoz opened with a 65, and world No. 1 Ochoa, who will retire after the event in her home country, tied for third with Michelle Wie of the US with a 66.
PHOTO: AFP
Taiwan’s Candie Kung shot a one-under 72 to be tied at 39th, while her compatriot Amy Hung was a shot further back after a 73. World No. 3 Yani Tseng and Teresa Lu are not competing.
Miyazato won the Evian Masters last season — her first LPGA Tour victory — and has risen to fifth in the world rankings.
Although she doesn’t hit long off the tee, she’s accurate and needed just 22 putts on Thursday.
“I don’t feel like I’m playing so much better all of a sudden,” Miyazato said after a round that included 10 birdies. “I feel like this is just one step at a time and building up my confidence. Last year gave me a lot of confidence. Just right now, I am showcasing what I can do.”
Ochoa asked to be paired with Miyazato and former University of Arizona teammate Natalie Gulbis in the first two rounds.
Ochoa grew up in junior golf with Gulbis and called Miyazato “the nicest girl on the Tour.”
“I have played with her so many times since I have been on the Tour, but today was really special,” Miyazato said. “Natalie and Lorena were really relaxed, so they had an effect on me and I played really relaxed.”
The surprise near the top of the leaderboard was Munoz, an LPGA rookie who is playing only her second event, but she is no stranger to winning. Munoz won last year’s British Women’s Amateur Championship and was the US collegiate individual champion in 2008 at Arizona State.
She said she hoped to get a chance to play with Ochoa before the tournament ends.
“I know everyone is going to be cheering for her, but I just want to play with her,” Munoz said.
Wie and Ochoa both teed off on 10 and opened with eagles.
Ochoa, who finished at 25-under last year to win for the second straight year and the third time in four seasons, said she tried to treat the round like any other.
“I woke up in the morning and told myself: ‘We’re here, this is the last tournament, let’s enjoy the moment,’” Ochoa said.
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