Japan’s Mika Miyazato made the most of her early tee time, firing a six-under par 65 on Friday to share the first round lead with Stacy Lewis at the LPGA Classic in New Jersey.
On a day when conditions favoured the early starters, Miyazato played in the first group of the morning.
She birdied the par five third hole and added another birdie at the par-four fifth before rolling in a 20-foot eagle putt at the par-five ninth to lie four-under at the turn.
Miyazato also birdied two par-threes on the back nine, 11 and 17, to put herself in position to strike for a first LPGA title, nearly holing her tee shot at 17 before making the three-footer for birdie.
“I hit it almost perfect,” Miyazato said of her round. “I think putting was more off today and second shot, I had more confidence.”
Her American competitor Lewis overcame a double-bogey six at the par-four second hole with an eagle at the par-five third and six birdies for a share of the lead on the Bay Course at the Seaview resort.
American Paula Creamer and Colombia’s Mariajo Uribe were tied for third two strokes behind the leaders on 67.
Canadian Maude-Aimee LeBlanc was alone on 68, with a group of seven players — including teen phenomenon Lexi Thompson, Spain’s Azahara Munoz and Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist and Karin Sjodin — on 69.
World No.1 Yani Tseng of Taiwan, winner of three titles already this season, posted an even-par 71 that included four birdies and four bogeys.
AFP rj