Duo share early challenge lead

Rookie In-bee Park and Pat Hurst carded five-under opening rounds on Thursday to share a two-stroke lead at the Longs Drugs Challenge.

Lorena Ochoa, looking to become the first golfer in tour history to surpass the US Dollar three million mark in earnings in a single season, headlines a group of seven players at three-under-par.

Park shot a bogey-free round, while Hurst, starting on the back nine, recovered from a double-bogey at the 10th to sign for five birdies and a stunning 20-foot eagle putt at the last.

“It was a tough condition to play in, there was a lot of wind out there,” said Park. “Some holes were playing tricky, but I was able to handle myself, stay calm, and I played very well today, so it was good.”

Hurst said: “I hit the ball good, so I hit a lot of greens out there. I don’t know how many greens I hit, but I know I hit quite a few, and if I did miss them, I didn’t miss them by much.”

Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, Lorie Kane, Diana D’Alessio, Karrie Webb, Stacy Prammanasudh and Se Ri Pak are tied with Ochoa at three-under.

Ochoa, who is seeking her seventh title of the season and fourth in her last five events, carded three birdies in the only other bogey-free round of the day.

“It seems like it’s important for me to get a good start. So that’s why I’m feeling good today,” said Ochoa. “It was a very solid round. I didn’t make any mistakes.”