Rancho Mirage, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Morgan Pressel fired a bogey-free, 5-
under 67 in Thursday’s first round and holds an early 1-shot lead at the first
major championship of the season, the newly-named ANA Inspiration.
Pressel is seeking her second career victory at this championship as she also
won here in 2007 when it was called the Kraft Nabisco Championship. Pressel
has two LPGA Tour wins overall, with her other one coming at the 2008 Kapalua
LPGA Classic.
Former world No. 1 and nine-time LPGA Tour winner Ai Miyazato, still seeking
her first career major championship, is alone in second at 4-under 68 on the
Dinah Shore Tournament Course at Mission Hills Country Club.
Seven-time major winner and two-time champion at this event Juli Inkster
headlines a group of four players tied at 3-under 69. Joining the 54-year-old
in third are Gwladys Nocera, So Yeon Ryu and Alison Walshe.
World No. 1 Lydia Ko shot a 1-under 71 in her first round, which tied her with
Annika Sorenstam for the most consecutive rounds under par with 29. The 17-
year-old Ko is tied for 10th.
Defending champion Lexi Thompson is one shot further back at even-par 72,
tying her for 26th.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
