Two Tied atop LPGA Event

Scotland's Catriona Matthew and American Angela Stanford both fired 8-under 63s to take a share of the lead in the Manulife Financial LPGA Classic. The 72-hole, $1.3 million tournament began Thursday at Grey Silo Golf Course in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Stanford, a 35-year-old Texan with five LPGA victories, carded four birdies on the front nine and four more on the back. The 43-year-old Matthew, whose four wins include a major - the 2009 Women's British Open, had five birdies on the front nine and four on the home half. The Edinburgh native's only dropped shot came on the par-3 12th hole.

Sharing third after posting 65s are Spain's Belen Mozo, American Irene Cho and South Koreans Hee Young Park, Meena Lee and Inbee Park (no relation to Hee Young).

Inbee Park, the No. 1-ranked player in women's golf, carded seven birdies and a bogey. She's looking for her seventh victory of the year this week.

Four South Koreans - Chella Choi, Jenny Shin, Amy Yang and Ji Young Oh - and American Ryann O'Toole opened with 66s. Nine players had 67s.

Defending champion Brittany Lang opened with a 2-under 69. Lang won her first title last year at the event after beating Choi, Inbee Park and Hee Kyung Seo in a three-hole, sudden-death playoff.

For all the scores, visit www.lpga.com.

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