Emerging Welsh star Becky Morgan carded the lowest round of her career - a nine-under par 63 - to take a one-stroke lead after the first round of the State Farm Classic in Springfield, Illinois.

The 27-year-old, who finished second to South Korea's Hee Won Han in last year's Rookie of the Year awards, made the perfect start in her bid for a first career title.

Morgan is seeking to improve on a record of only one top-10 finish in 14 starts this year - a tie for seventh at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.

Patricia Meunier-LeBouc of France, also in her second year on tour and chasing a first tour victory, birdied the final hole for an eight-under 64 to move into second place.

Becky Iverson, Betsy King, Laura Diaz and Jen Hanna were tied for third at six-under, with seven players another shot back.

Points at stake

Se Ri Pak of South Korea, who joined the LPGA's million-dollar club last week with victory at the Betsy King Classic, can become the year's first four-time winner this weekend.

But she will again have to rally after posting a two-under 70 that left her tied for 38th.

Already second in the Player of the Year standings, Pak's first prize of $180,000 last week took over over the $1m dollar mark for the second straight year.

Annika Sorenstam and Juli Inkster are the only other golfers to reach $1m dollars in earnings this year, but neither are competing in Springfield.

Points as well as dollars will be on the mind of several golfers this week with the United States team for the 2002 Solheim Cup to be announced on Sunday.

The top-10 finishers in the Solheim Cup points standings will qualify for the team and captain Patty Sheehan will make two additional selections.

Among those on the cusp of selection this week are Wendy Ward (eighth), Dorothy Delasin (11th), Emilee Klein (12th), Pat Hurst (13th), Nancy Scranton (14th) and Danielle Ammacccapane (15th).