Choi sets pace in Ohio

South Korea’s Na Yeon Choi posted a seven-under-par 64 on Thursday to establish a one-shot lead after the first round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in Sylvania, Ohio.

The 22-year-old picked up eight birdies and dropped only one shot – at the second – at Highland Meadows Golf Club to banish memories of last week’s missed cut at the LPGA Championship.

She finished one stroke clear of Canada’s Alena Sharp, who carded a bogey-free 65, with American duo Marisa Baena and Christina Kim a shot further back alongside Frenchwoman Karine Icher.

Choi’s fellow South Korean Jiyai Shin, the world number three, birdied her final two holes of the day to remain in the hunt with a four-under 67 – sharing sixth spot with compatriot Inbee Park, American pair Jackie Gallagher-Smith and Stacy Lewis, Japan’s Momoko Ueda and Australian Katherine Hull.