Morgan Pressel grabs first-round lead at the ANA Inspiration
Friday 3 April 2015 16:33, UK
Morgan Pressel grabbed the first-round lead at the ANA Inspiration after firing a flawless five-under-par 67.
Pressel reaped the benefits of a recent swing change and flourished in favourable afternoon conditions to move one stroke clear in the first women's major of the season.
On a hot day at Mission Hills Country Club where the early starters had to contend with strong winds, former champion Pressel birdied two of her first three holes and signed off with her fifth of the day at the par-five last.
Teenage world No 1 Lydia Ko stayed in touch on one-under after equalling an LPGA Tour record of 29 consecutive rounds under par with a 71 in the morning.
New Zealander Ko started the streak last year in the first round of her victory in the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.
Pressel ended the round a shot in front of Japan's Ai Miyazato, with South Korean Ryu So-yeon, Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera, American Alison Walshe and 54-year-old Hall of Famer Juli Inkster grouped on three-under after 69s.
"I kept the ball in play most of the day, I was never really in terrible position," said Pressel who, at 18, became the youngest winner of a women's major at the 2007 Kraft Nabisco Championship also held at Mission Hills.
"I just was very steady. There are a lot of tight tee shots out here, and I was able to hit it where I wanted to so I'm just happy with the way I played today.
"This afternoon there was not much wind at all, a little on the front nine, but not nearly what it was in the morning. So we definitely got a little fortunate with the conditions."
