PATTAYA, February 16, 2012 (AFP) - Japan's Ai Miyazato put on a performance to match the sizzling heat as she fired a five-under 67 to take the first round lead in the $1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand tournament Thursday.
Miyazato, who won the same tournament two years ago, took a one-shot lead over Australian veteran Karrie Webb, as well as Sweden's Anna Nordqvist and Koreans Amy Yang, Se Ri Pak and Na Yeon Choi who all shot 68.
The Japanese player set the Siam Country Club course alight with five birdies and no bogeys.
"I'm really excited, but I feel very tired. It's been a long day. I think it must be the heat," said Miyazato, who hardly made a mistake in her round.
"I've been working on my short game and it seems to be paying off. I like this course, but the greens are tricky."
Pre-tournament favourite and world number one Yani Tseng of Taiwan could not find her rhythm and had to be content with a one-over 73.
Making the early pace were Webb and Nordqvist.
"Four birdies and no bogeys. I'm pretty happy with that," said Webb, currently ranked 20th in the world.
"The conditions, apart from the heat, were good," she said, speaking for many players who battled sweltering conditions.
"I was a little scratchy on the front nine, but on the back nine I started to hit my irons better and gave myself quite a few birdie chances."
Nordqvist was equally pleased with her round. "I hit the ball really smooth and gave myself a lot of birdie opportunities. I never really had to fight for par."
American Stacy Lewis had looked to be poised to take the first round lead as she arrived at the 18th hole on five-under.
But a disastrous triple bogey eight at the final hole, in which she ran into bunker trouble, ruined what had been a good day.
Her anguish was apparent as she threw her putter into her bag in disappointment at the 18th, having to settle for a 70 in joint ninth place.
Leading the local challenge was Numa Gulyanamitta, who shot a three-under 69 for joint seventh place, a fine performance in only her second LPGA outing.
"I was very nervous, but I am really pleased with how the day turned out," said the young Thai. "It's been an exciting day."
Among the crowd favourites Paula Creamer had a roller-coaster start. Despite shooting a hole in one at the 12th, she ended with a relatively modest round of even par 72.
Last year's runner-up, Michelle Wie, struggled with a 75.
American teenage prodigy Alexis "Lexi" Thompson did not have the best of days with a 73 but she is only five off the lead.
Leading first-round scores from the $1.5 million Honda LPGA Thailand 2012 tournament at the par-72 Siam Country Club on Thursday.
67 - Ai Miyazato (JPN)
68 - Na Yeon Choi (KOR), Amy Yang (KOR), Se Ri Pak (KOR), Anna Nordqvist (SWE), Karrie Webb (AUS),
69 - Christel Boeljon (NED), Numa Gulyanamitta (THA)
70 - Suzann Pettersen (NOR), Brittany Lincicome (USA), Stacy Lewis (USA), Shanshan Feng (CHN), Tiffany Joh (USA), Jimin Kang (KOR), Katie Futcher (USA), Brittany Lang (USA), Jiyai Shin (KOR)
71 - Pornanong Phatlum (THA), Jennifer Johnson (USA), Amanda Blumenherst (USA), Candie Kung (TPE), Jenny Shin (KOR), Kristy McPherson (USA), Maria Hjorth (SWE), Julieta Granada (PAR)
72 - Inbee Park (KOR), Nontaya Srisawang (THA), Paula Creamer (USA), Caroline Hedwall (SWE), Meena Lee (KOR), I.K. Kim (KOR), Amy Hung (TPE), Hee Young Park (KOR), Mika Miyazato (JPN), Wendy Ward (USA)
Selected:
73 - Lexi Thompson (USA)
74 - Catriona Matthew (SCO)
75 - Michelle Wie (USA)
78 - Laura Davies (ENG)