Munoz off to Hot Start in Singapore


Spain's Azahara Munoz fired a 7-under 65 to take a two-stroke lead after 18 holes of the HSBC Women's Champions. The $1.4 million LPGA Tour event began Thursday on the 6,600-yard Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore.

Munoz, a 25-year-old from Malaga, whose only LPGA title came in last year's Sybase Match Play Championship, posted four birdies on the front nine and three more on the back to jump out in front of Stacy Lewis, Pornanong Phatlum, Sun Young Yoo, Lizette Salas and Karin Sjodin.

Munoz was pleased with her all-around game in the opening round. "I hit a lot of really good second shots to give myself the opportunities, and I managed to convert a lot of them," she said.

Sharing seventh after 68s are No. 1-ranked Yani Tseng, Chella Choi, Paula Creamer and Danielle Kang.

Defending champion Angela Stanford got off to a rugged start with a 4-over 76.

Three players - Creamer, Suzann Pettersen and Ai Miyazato - were involved in a car accident before the start of the first round. Miyazato suffered a whiplash injury and withdrew; Pettersen carded a 73.

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