Park leads by one over six pursuers at LPGA Tour's Safeway Classic

8/23/2008

Angela Park, winless on the LPGA Tour, shot a 6-under-par 66 to take a one-stroke lead Friday after the first round of the Safeway Classic at tree-lined Columbia Edgewater Country Club.

Park, the 2007 LPGA Rookie of the Year, shot a bogey-free round on the 6,397-yard, par-72 course.

Kelli Kuehne was in a group of six tied for second at 67 with Hee Young Park, Song-Hee Kim, Sophie Gustafson, Helen Alfredsson and Karen Stupples. Stephanie Louden, Liz Janangelo, Becky Morgan, Katie Futcher and Hee-Won Han were two strokes behind.

Among those joining Ochoa were Paula Creamer, Laura Diaz and Leta Lindley. Ochoa, the season's earnings leader with $2,337,206, birdied the final three holes to put herself into contention.

Annika Sorenstam, a two-time Safeway Classic winner, birdied her final hole to shoot 72. Pat Hurst, who won the 2006 Safeway, finished with a 75.

There was speculation heading into the tournament about how difficult Columbia Edgewater would play because of recent heavy rain. With the course drying out from Friday's 80-degree temperatures, 55 players in the field of 150 broke par.

The $1.7 million Safeway Classic, the longest running non-major on the LPGA Tour, attracted a field that includes 28 of the season's top 30 money earners.

Leaderboard  – Round 1:

1. Angela Park                 66 - 6
2. Kelli Kuehne                 67 - 5
    Hee Young Park           67 - 5
    Song-Hee Kim              67 - 5
    Sophie Gustafson         67 - 5
    Karen Stuples              67 - 5
    Helen Alfredsson          67 - 5
8. Stephanie Louden        68 - 4
    Liz Janangelo              68 - 4
    Hee-Won Han              68 - 4
    Becky Morgan              68 - 4
    Katie Futcher               68 - 4

Source: AP, LPGA Tour