Sorenstam tied for MasterCard Classic lead

Annika Sorenstam made her 2006 debut in smashing style, firing a bogey-free five-under-par 67 to grab a share of the lead after the first round of the MasterCard Classic.

Situated in the mountains, the Bosque Real Country Club course is a layout of nearly 7,000 yards with dips and inclines that can make it tough on players required to walk the course. The LPGA Tour waived the no-cart rule, which also helped the pace of play.

“I prefer walking, but then again, this course is very tough to walk,” said Sorenstam, the world’s best player and defending champion. “Using carts was the right thing to do.”

Sorenstam birdied the first hole but did not pick up another stroke until the par-five sixth. She was better on the back nine, where she had three birdies, including at the 10th and 18th holes.

“At the beginning, it was tough to get your rhythm,” she said. “Normally you have the bag there and you grab a club. Now, you have to find a new system with your caddie. Is he going to drive or am I going to drive? Sometimes I like to walk. For the first six or seven holes, I couldn’t really find a rhythm.

“In the end, it was fine. It speeds up play a little bit, especially with some of these valleys that would take forever to walk.”

Sorenstam is tied for the lead with Silvia Cavalleri. Suzann Pettersen shot a 68, one stroke better than tour veterans Lorie Kane and Carin Koch.

Sorenstam surprised no one with her quick start. She has won her last two season openers and three of her last four.

“I have had a nice off-season and then to come back here to defend, and I don’t want to say pressure, but I wanted to perform because I feel like I have had a good practice season the last two weeks,” she said. “I felt really good about my game, but you never know until you come out here and start putting your score together.”