Two Share Lead in Dubai Ladies Masters


Pernilla Lindberg of Sweden and Spaniards Carlota Ciganda and Mireira Prat each fired 5-under 67s for a share of the opening-round lead in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. The season-ending event on the Ladies European Tour schedule is taking place at Emirates Golf Club.

Prat each fired 5-under 67s for a share of the opening-round lead in the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. The season-ending event on the Ladies European Tour schedule is taking place at Emirates Golf Club.

Prat and Lindberg each carded five birdies, while Ciganda had six birdies and a bogey Wednesday. Alone in fourth after a 68 is Thailand's Pornanong Phatlum, while another stroke back is Germany's Caroline Masson.

Prat won the LET Access Series Order of Merit last week to earn her full card for the 2014 season. "I putted really well. I think I missed three shots and I recovered very well to make par so I'm very happy," she said.

"I know I have my full card for next year and it was my goal for this year, so I think there is no pressure here and maybe that's the key. I was very confident at the start and played very well and was relaxed. It's the first day of a four-day tournament, so I'm going to keep focused and do things like I did today and we'll see what happens."

Lewis. "I feel like the course is playing hard enough that no one's going to run away and shoot a great score. The greens are firm and fast and you've got to play smart," said Lewis, a three-time winner on the LPGA Tour this year.

"I feel like I'm still in it. We've got three more days and if I can make some putts I'll be there."

Defending Dubai Ladies Masters champion Shanshan Feng got off to a rugged start. The winner in the LPGA's season-ending Titleholders posted a 4-over 76. The 24-year-old from China had five bogeys and a lone birdie on the day.

Her poor first round wasn't helped by an accidental knock at her hotel door at 4:30 a.m. - an hour and 20 minute earlier than her wake-up call - by a guest who mistook her room for his. "I just felt like I wasn't there, I didn't know who was playing," said Feng, who opened with a 66 last year en route to establishing a tournament-record score of 21-under 267.

"I couldn't control my body, couldn't concentrate. I just want to bring myself tomorrow.

"I've still got three more days to go, so I'm sure I'll be able to sleep well tonight and I'll come back," Feng added. "The day is finished, so hopefully I'll still have good weekend."

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