Saturday 25 April 2015 10:29, UK
Lydia Ko fired an opening round five-under-par 67 to take a one-stroke lead at the Swinging Skirts LPGA Classic.
World number one Ko, on the eve of her 18th birthday, made six birdies with just one bogey at the Lake Merced Golf Course in San Francisco, where she recorded her first win as a professional last year.
Ko has already won twice this year but took some time off after finishing well out of the picture at the ANA Inspiration, the women's first major of the season.
"It's a really good start, but I know I've got three more long days to go,” said Ko. “Hopefully I can continue hitting solid shots."
Hot on Ko's heels are three players at four-under, including South Korean rookie Jang Ha-na and 54-year-old Juli Inkster, a winner of 31 LPGA tournaments and seven majors but who has not won in nine years.
Americans Stacy Lewis and Morgan Pressel shot 69s to finish at three-under.
