 | R1 LEADERBOARD -5 Rachel Teske (Aus) -4 Karen Stupples (Eng) -3 Stefania Croce (It), Vicky Uwland (Aus), Laura Davies (Eng), Annika Sorenstam (Swe), Liselotte Neumann (Swe), Michelle Ellis (Aus) |
Laura Davies began her defence of the ANZ Ladies' Masters in Australia with a three-under-par 69 to share third place with world number one Annika Sorenstam. Australia's Rachel Teske shot a 67 to lead at the Royal Pines Resort, with Briton Karen Stupples one stroke back.
European Tour debutante Stupples, who hit four birdies, said: "It's a great start. I hit 18 greens and had a lot more chances to make birdies."
Davies said: "I hit the ball well but missed so many chances on the greens."
A former Curtis Cup player, Stupples is based in Florida and plays on the US-based LPGA Tour but hopes to join next year's European Solheim Cup team.
"I've never been eligible before, because I'm not a member of the Ladies' European Tour," she said.
"But I hope to play four or five of the events this year and then join up. The Solheim is a big priority."
Sorenstam, the winner two years ago, made a slow start and was one over through the turn. But three birdies in a row then got her back into the hunt.
Teske had seven birdies to raise her hopes of a first win in her homeland.
MMIX
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