Lewis off to Hot Start in Reignwood LPGA Classic


Top-ranked Stacy Lewis fired a 7-under 66 to take the opening-round lead in the Reignwood LPGA Classic. The 72-hole, $2.1 million event got underway Thursday at Reignwood Pine Valley Golf Club in Beijing, China.

Lewis, who narrowly lost to Shanshan Feng last year after the Chinese player eagled the 72nd hole, carded seven birdies - including five on the back nine - for a one-stroke lead over Sweden's Caroline Hedwall.

"I just stayed patient all day and was rewarded by birdieing four of the last five," said the 29-year-old Lewis, who's won three titles this year. "I really wanted to put up a good number today going into the next few days where the weather might not be as good."

Last year Lewis complained about what she thought were unruly crowds that she didn't feel used proper etiquette as local hero swept to victory. Lewis later apologized and issued another mea culpa on Thursday. "Last year didn't go the way I wanted to. I played some great golf. I probably didn't handle things the way I wanted to. That's why I'm back this year," she said.

"I kind of want to right the ship a little bit. I never back down from a challenge. More than anything, it's an opportunity to win. It's a golf I played really well on last year, and I feel like I'll have a good shot again this year."

Trailing by two are Sun Young Yoo and Jenny Shin, while posting a 4-under 69 were fellow South Koreans Haeji Kang, Ilhee Lee, Mi Hyang Lee and Inbee Park along with Spain's Belen Mozo and Taiwan's Yani Tseng.

Park, a two-time winner this season, can supplant Lewis with a win this week and if Lewis finishes in third or lower on the leaderboard.

The low-scoring Chinese player was Yanhong Pan, while defending champion Feng opened with a 75.

Mi Jung Hur, the winner of the LPGA's previous tournament, the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic two weeks ago, carded a 73.

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