Stacy Lewis hits an approach shot to the green during the first round of the Honda LPGA Thailand yesterday.
American leads by 3 at Honda LPGA Thailand
World No 3 Stacy Lewis grabbed a three-stroke lead after carding a formidable 63 in yesterday's opening round of the US$1.5-million Honda LPGA Thailand at the par-72, 6,469 yard Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course.
The 2012 LPGA player of the year was on hot form most of the day, producing an eagle on the third hole before collecting eight birdies against a lone bogey on the 16th to lead the field on nine-under-par 63, matching the course record set by Suzann Pettersen in 2007 and repeated by Stacy Prammanasudh in 2009, Ai Miyazato in 2010 and In-kyung Kim in 2011.
"Last week I didn't hit it very well, so to come out today and really start hitting the ball solid early on [was great]. I holed out for eagle on No 3 … that shot just gave me the confidence to really start swinging at it. I think I missed two greens all day," said the 28-year-old from Toledo.
Following in lone second was Frenchwoman Karine Icher, who cruised through an error-free round for a 66. Adjustments to her green play, after a disappointing 3-over-par 289 left her tied 55th at the Australian Open last week, paid off for the 34-year-old Florida-based player.
"I changed my putter, so I had better sensation and feeling. It was better than last week," said world No 33.
Tied in third on 67 were American Gerina Piller, Scotland's Catriona Matthew, and South Korea's Inbee Park and Amy Yang. One stroke further back was the trio of Spain's Beatriz Recari, South Korea's Ryu So-yeon and American Lizette Salas.
Ariya Jutanugarn carded a 3-under 69 to emerge the best local challenger. The 17-year-old recovered from first-hole jitters to fire four birdies and finish the day joint 10th along with 2010 champion Ai Miyazato of Japan, Karrie Webb of Australia, American Angela Standford and rising young amateur star Lydia Ko of New Zealand.
"I started with a bogey and lost my focus a bit. I have played here for the last five years and each year the course has got tougher," said Ariya whose best finish here was an eighth place three years ago.
"The rough is longer. If you hit into the long grass, it's very difficult to get back onto the fairway. I just hope I can shoot lower than 7-under, which is my best score here so far," said the 17-year-old.
Following a stroke behind was her sister Moriya, whose birdie on 18 helped her to a 71 for a share of 26th with Americans Christie Kerr and Lexi Thompson and 2007 winner Pettersen.
The elder sister by a year, Moriya felt the added pressure of playing for the first time as a professional in Thailand.
"I feel as if I have to take things more seriously this year. I was excited during the first few holes, but too nervous to take chances. It was windy and I found it difficult to hit birdies," said Moriya, who finished fourth in the Australian Open on Sunday.
Fellow Thai players found things tough yesterday. Numa Gulyanamitta hit an even-par 72 to take 33rd place, while Thai No 1 Pornanong Phatlum and amateur Suppamas Sangchan each fired 73s to land at joint 37th.
Two-time defending champion and world No 1 Tseng Yani started in lacklustre fashion, hitting 3-over-par 75s for joint 54th.
Meanwhile, Wednesday saw the players help raise a large sum of money at a charity auction at the Dusit Thani Hotel Pattaya. Bt200,000 was raised for a golf bag autographed by LPGA stars while another Bt100,000 was paid for two putters donated by Moriya and Ariya.
The money will be donated to the SUPPORT Arts and Crafts International Centre of Thailand (SACICT) under the patronage of Her Majesty the Queen.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/02/22/swinging-stacy-scorches-the-course-with-fine-63/
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