Choi & Webb Top LPGA Event in Malaysia


Na Yeon Choi of South Korea and Australian Karrie Webb fired 6-under 65s to share the opening-round lead in the LPGA Malaysia. The 72-hole, $1.9 million event started Thursday at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

Choi, the defending champion, carded six birdies, the same number of under-par scores shot by Webb. The duo enjoys a one-shot lead over two South Koreans - Min Lee and Sun Young Yoo - and Japan's Mika Miyazato.

"I put extra pressure on myself, too, as a lot people expect me to win here, but I like it," said Choi of defending her title. "It makes you more nervous and encourages you to play better."

Webb, a member of the LPGA Hall of Fame, was happy with her effort and how she handled a first-round delay caused by lightning. "Six birdies and no bogeys, I'm pleased with that," said the 27-year-old.

"It's always hard to stay in focus after you have to sit it out for more than three hours. Instead of wanting to finish it off quickly without making mistakes, I was trying to hit some quality shots and that made the difference."

Carding 67s were South Koreans Hee Young Park and Hee-Won Han, while posting 68s were Scotland's Catriona Matthew, South Korean So Yeon Ryu, Japanese players Ai Miyazato (no relation to Mika) and Momoko Ueda, and Americans Cristie Kerr, Lizette Salas and Jessica Korda.

Paula Creamer was in a group of nine players tied for 15th after a 69.

Other scores included a 70 by Stacy Lewis, a 74 by Michelle Wie and a 78 by No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng. Tseng's three birdies Thursday didn't offset four bogeys and three doubles.

For complete scoring, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx.