KUALA LUMPUR, October 13, 2011 (AFP) - Spain’s Azahara Munoz shot a sensational four-under 67 on Thursday, to lie one shot off the leaders at the opening day of the $1.9 million Sime Darby LPGA tournament in Malaysia.
"Obviously, the weather is hot and the ball will play different, but I’m happy with the way I’ve started," she told reporters.
Leading the pack are Sweden's Maria Hjorth, American Brittany Lang, Dewi Claire Schreefel (Holland) and Choi Na Yeo of South Korea, who shot a sizzling five-under 66 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
The Malaga-born golfer, who turns 24 on November 19, is hoping to clinch her first LPGA event as an early birthday present in the star-studded field.
"I’ve yet to achieved my aims for the year as I made a few swing changes in the beginning of the year," said Munoz.
"It has taken me a long time to hit good. Now, I’m hitting the ball better."
But the classy Spaniard, who helped the European team clinch the Solheim Cup, admitted the tournament will be a tough one to win but vowed to be a strong competitor.
"The tournament is good as nine of the top 10 players are here and it won’t be easy (to win). If the top players play well, they will be top of the leaderboard," she said.
"However, golf changes every week and if you nail your putts, then the chances of winning are good. I’m hoping to hit the greens and fairways and sink the putts to put myself in contention here," she said.
Munoz, who is ranked world No. 51, will play in Taiwan next week before rounding off her season in Japan, Mexico and Orlando.
Meanwhile, Munoz revealed she is big football fan of Real Madrid.
"Yes, I’m a Real Madrid fan and I like the way Cristiano Ronaldo plays. He’s good looking but I’ve seen better (guys)!", she said.
Leading scores after the first round Thursday in the $1.9 million Sime Darby LPGA tournament at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
66 - Maria Hjorth (SWE), Brittany Lang (USA), Dewi Claire Schreefel (NED), Na Yeon Choi (KOR)
67 - Paige Mackenzie (USA), Azahara Munoz (ESP)
68 - Christel Boeljon (NED), Shanshan Feng (CHN), I.K. Kim (KOR), Stacy Lewis (USA), Suzann Pettersen (NOR), Michelle Wie (USA)
69 - Katie Futcher (USA), Mindy Kim (USA), Amy Yang (KOR), Sophie Gustafson (SWE), Jimin Kang (KOR), Yani Tseng (TPE)