Two on Top at Dubai Ladies Masters; Lexi Three Shots Back


China's Shanshan Feng and Florentyna Parker carded 6-under 66s to share the first-round lead in the Dubai Ladies Masters. The 72-hole, season-ending event on the Ladies European Tour began Wednesday at Emirates Golf Course.

Parker had seven birdies and a bogey, while Feng posted three birdies on the front nine and three more on the back.

Tied for third after 67s are Czechoslovakia's Klara Spilkova, Wales' Sahra Hassan and American Cindy LaCrosse. Eight players opened with 68s, while defending champion Lexi Thompson was among 13 who posted a 69.

Last year, Thompson, a native of Coral Springs, Fla., closed with a 5-under 67 to finish at 15-under 273, four strokes ahead of Lee-Anne Pace of South Africa. She told reporters that her opening round in 2012 could have been better, but she's still satisfied with her score.

"I could have dropped a few more putts. I had a lot of lip-outs out there," said Thompson, who settled down with five birdies after two bogeys on her first four holes.

"But I'll take 3-under for a first round. If I can stay around there and shoot a few more under than that, I'll be in a good position."

Michelle Wie and fellow Americans Jennie Lee and Beth Allen are four shots behind Feng and Parker. The leader on the LET's Order of Merit, Carlota Ciganda, also had a 70.

For all the scores, visit http://www.letscoring.com/leaderboard/56834.