Three-Way Tie for Lead in LPGA Opener


Three players opened with 6-under 66s in opening round of the Coates Golf Championship. The $1.5 million LPGA Tour event got underway Wednesday at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club in Florida.

The trio includes two Americans - Jessica Korda and Stacy Lewis - and Spain's Azahara Munoz. The tournament began with windy conditions and chilly temperatures; 20 players weren't able to complete their first rounds due to darkness.

"I can't feel my fingers right now," Korda said after her round. Brisk conditions are forecast for Thursday, with temps in the mid- to upper-30s for the early starters.

Korda carded six birdies, while Lewis had seven birdies and a bogey and Azahara the same configuration of scores.

"I stayed patient out there," No. 3-ranked Lewis told reporters. "Finally, on the back nine, I got more comfortable with being back playing again and just started hitting golf shots. It was a good day. I almost wish we didn't have darkness and I could keep going since I finally got into a rhythm there."

The 21-year-old Korda is no stranger to fast starts on the LPGA Tour, having secured two of her three titles in season openers - in Australia in 2012 and in the Bahamas last year. "I just feel like I'm refreshed and ready to go," she said of getting out of the gate quickly. "I try and bring the mentality with me all the time, every time I try to play, but for some reason it just shines brighter the first event of the season.

"Honestly, I don't know what it is about it. I'm just happy to be back. It's so much fun. It's like the first day of school; you're always happy to be back the first week of school."

Munoz, a one-time LPGA winner, was pleased with her start. "I gave myself a lot of opportunities and I made them, too," the 27-year-old Malaga native said. "If I didn't hit a really good shot, I made a couple nice 5-, 6-footers for par, so that was nice."

American Austin Ernst and Ha Na Jang of South Korea both posted 67s, while another stroke back were No. 2 Lydia Ko of New Zealand and South Korean Na Yeon Choi.

No. 1-ranked Inbee Park started with a 71, one stroke ahead of reigning U.S. Women's Open champion Michelle Wie.

For updated scores, visit http://www.lpgascoring.com/public/Leaderboard.aspx.