Mirim Lee of South Korea shot a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 in the first round to take a one-stroke lead over Yani Tseng of Taiwan in the Kia Classic at Park Hyatt Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad.
The 24-year-old Lee, who won twice on the LPGA Tour last year after claiming four victories earlier in her career in Asia, took the lead by sinking long birdie putts on the last two holes to shoot 4-under 32 on the back nine.
“Today was putting,” said Lee, who won the Meijer LPGA Classic and the Reignwood LPGA Classic last season. ” … 40 feet, two 40‑footers on No. 16 and 17. I practiced a lot this week, I changed the grip on my putter.”
Tseng, the former No. 1 player in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings who has been slumping since winning the 2012 Kia, eagled the 10th hole on her way to a 66.
Top-ranked Lydia Ko of New Zealand recorded a bogey-free 67 and was tied for third with Cristie Kerr, Karrie Webb of Australia and Xi Yu Lin of China.
Second-ranked Inbee Park of South Korea recorded a 68 and was in a tie for seventh that included No. 3-ranked Stacy Lewis and Lexi Thompson.
