Icher Clubhouse Leader in Fog-Delayed Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic


A two-hour fog delay in the morning ultimately caused a suspension of the first round of the inaugural Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic. The $1.8 million event began Thursday at Lake Merced Golf Club in San Francisco.

Although a few of the players didn't complete their initial 18s in the 72-hole tournament due to darkness, most of them did, with Karine Icher of France atop the leaderboard when the horn went off.

The 35-year-old Icher carded a six-birdie 66 for a two-stroke edge over New Zealand's Lydia Ko, South Koreans Ilhee Lee and Jenny Shin, Sweden's Maria McBride and The Netherlands' Dewi Claire Schreefel.

Americans Stacy Lewis, Morgan Pressel and Mo Martin posted 69s along with Dutchwoman Christel Boeljon and Korean Hyo-Joo Kim.

Playing in her first tournament since suffering a back injury over three weeks ago, No. 2-ranked Suzann Pettersen was among those carding 70s on an overcast, chilly day in the Bay Area.

Icher said her strategy on the classic course designed by Willie Lock - and remodeled shortly after its 1923 opening by Alister MacKenzie - was to stay on the low side of the pins and leave uphill putts. "I think it's the key on this course," she said.

"It's a tough golf course, especially with the wind and temperature. It gets so cold. You try to stay warm and try to catch the right wind and go with it and make some putts."

Pressel seconded Icher's thoughts about the layout, which she finds difficult but suiting her style. "I like a tough test," said the 25-year-old, who's looking for her first LPGA victory since the Kapalua LPGA Classic in 2008. "I'm not such a fan of courses that are birdiefests. I like one that tests all aspects of your game, and this one certainly does.

"Even once you get it on the green it's no bargain. The greens are very difficult. The cold, kind of damp air makes it more challenging. The ball doesn't fly as far, and the rough is thick as can be."

Ko's birthday was Thursday. On the day the two-time LPGA winner turned 17, the gallery sang "Happy Birthday" to her on the first tee. Ko called the scene "kind of embarrassing," but appreciated the gesture.

Michelle Wie, who won last week's LPGA Lotte Championship in her home state of Hawaii, opened with an even-par 72. No. 1-ranked Inbee Park shot a 73.

Before the start of the first round veterans Angela Stanford and Se Ri Pak withdrew, with neither citing a reason for pulling out.

For updated scoring, visit www.lpga.com.