Lee off to Good Start at Kia Classic


Mirim Lee opened with a 7-under 65 to take the 18-hole lead at the Kia Classic. The $1.7 million LPGA Tour event began Thursday at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, Calif.

Lee, a 24-year-old from South Korea, posted three birdies on the front nine and four more on the back for a one-stroke lead over Taiwan's Yani Tseng and American Cristie Kerr. Lee, in halting English, said of her fine play, "Today was putting."

Through a translator, she added, "Just hit a lot of solid shots, then hit a lot of greens."

Erstwhile No. 1 Tseng hasn't logged a victory in 70 starts though she's shown a resurgence of late. "I feel like everything is kind of getting together right now, like I changed a new coach," said the personable Tseng, who racked up 15 tour titles - including five majors - between June 2008 and March 2012.

"I have a new trainer, and last couple years I've been really struggling and it's kind of for me it's time that I figured out better, and kind of knowing myself better, like what's the best way for me. And I feel like it's time to go out and kick some butt, you know.

"You know, I want to enjoy the golf again. Last two years I don't really enjoy it as much, and I always tell people, no, I'm enjoying it, I'm happy, but actually, I'm not. In my mind I'm just really, really disappointed in what I do, very upset."

Lurking two strokes behind Lee is No. 1-ranked Lydia Ko along with Australia's Karrie Webb and China's Xiyu Lin. Seven other players opened with 68s on an idyllic day in Southern California. That group includes second-ranked Inbee Park, No. 3 Stacy Lewis and No. 4 Hyo Joo Kim along with Lexi Thompson, Brittany Lang, Austin Ernst, Laura Diaz, In Gee Chun, Jackie Stoelting and Karine Icher.

The 17-year-old Ko said she's adapting to life as a touring professional. "Playing weeks back to back and all courses just being different, I think that's the hard thing, but I'm just trying to keep focused, but I know that I've played well the last couple of events," said the New Zealander, who won two tournaments as an amateur and has tacked on four more in less than a year.

"It's always good to know that you're playing out there and you can be confident."

Defending champion Anna Nordqvist opened with an even-par 72 and is tied for 73rd heading into Friday's second round.

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