Friday 21 August 2015 17:04, UK
Karine Icher hit six birdies in a seven-hole stretch to shoot a seven-under-par 65 for the first-round lead in the Canadian Pacific Women's Open.
Winless in 253 career LPGA Tour starts, France's Icher closed a bogey-free round with seven pars.
"When you make some birdies like that in a row, you have more and more confidence," Icher said. "It's always nice to have some rounds like that where you don't have so much questions. You know the club, you take the club, you hit the shot, and it's close to the pin."
Two-time champion Lydia Ko was second after a 67 in which she birdied the final two holes.
Ko won in 2012 at Vancouver Golf Club at 15 years, four months to become the LPGA Tour's youngest winner and fifth amateur champion.
She successfully defended her title in 2013 as an amateur, winning by five strokes in Edmonton, Alberta. The 18-year-old New Zealander has two victories this year.
Stacy Lewis, I.K. Kim, Danah Bordner and Pernilla Lindberg shot 68 and Canadian teen Brooke Henderson, coming off a victory Sunday in the Portland Classic, opened with a 70.
Charley Hull was within two of the lead before carding two bogeys over the closing holes, while World No 1 Inbee Park recovered from a slow start to post a one-under 71.
