Ko & Lee Set Pace in LPGA Season Opener


Lydia Ko and Meena Lee matched 5-under 68s to take a share of the first-round lead in the Bahamas Classic. The season opener on the LPGA Tour teed off Thursday at the Paradise Island course in the Bahamas.

Ko, making her first official start as a member of the LPGA, carded three birdies on each the front and back nines, with her only dropped shot a bogey on the par-4 ninth hole. Lee, of South Korea, had four birdies, an eagle on the par-4 13th hole and a bogey to match Ko.

Ko, who won two LPGA titles - two straight Canadian Women's Opens - as an amateur, raised eyebrows over the off-season after changing her swing coach, agent, caddie and equipment. But the teenager showed no ill effects after all the changes.

"Normally I'd be more nervous than I was today," the 16-year-old New Zealander told reporters. "I just tried to play relaxing golf and I think that helped me give myself more opportunities for birdies. My mum said just to play my own game and relax."

A stroke back after 69s are Jessica Korda, Mirim Lee, Danah Bordner, Amelia Lewis, P.K. Kongkraphan, Brittany Lang, No. 2-ranked Stacy Lewis (no relation to Amelia), Austin Ernst and Candie Kung.

Defending champion Ilhee Lee of South Korea carded a 74 that included two birdies and three bogeys.

The top-two ranked women players in the world, Inbee Park and Suzann Pettersen, aren't entered this week. Also sitting out is China's Shanshan Feng, who won the 2013 season-ending Titleholders.

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