RANCHO MIRAGE, California (Reuters) - Searing heat posed few problems for Brittany Lincicome as she charged into a share of the first-round lead with fellow American Stacy Lewis at the Kraft Nabisco Championship on Thursday.
Despite temperatures peaking at 100 degrees (37.78 degrees Celsius) at Mission Hills Country Club, the long-hitting Lincicome fired a flawless six-under-par 66 to set a sizzling pace with Lewis.
Lincicome, who won her first major title here two years ago, needed only 23 putts to surge to the top of the leaderboard while Lewis launched her bid with seven birdies and one bogey.
The duo ended a sun-baked afternoon in the California desert a stroke in front of Germany's Sandra Gal and Japanese Mika Miyazato.
American Jane Park and Japan's Chie Arimura were tied for fifth after carding 68s in the opening women's major of the season.
Lincicome, who spectacularly eagled the par-five last to seal a one-shot victory at the 2009 Kraft Nabisco Championship, appeared to be in cruise control on Thursday.
"It was very easy," the 25-year-old told reporters. "It was one of those days where I really didn't have to think too hard and just everything kind of came naturally. My putting was amazing. I made everything.
"I probably only had two scary par saves. Other than that, it was really pretty easy-going and relaxing out there."
Lincicome's sole concern was how the sun-baked greens would hold up for the rest of the week after firming up considerably on Thursday afternoon.
FIRMING GREENS
"They're really, really firm out there," she said. "I'm hoping they're going to put some water on them right when we get done, because I would hate for them to lose them."
Asked if she had been bothered by the heat, Lincicome replied: "Luckily I'm from Florida so it wasn't too bad, but there were times where I'm like: 'All right, I gotta find the shade.'
Her good friend Lewis also coped well with the scorching spring temperatures, covering the back nine in three-under 33 to move into a tie for the lead.
"It was playing really hard, so I knew I just needed to hit some good golf shots and get some putts to fall," said the 26-year-old who was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11.
"That's what happened. I just judged the numbers really well going into the greens, kind of hung in there and made par when I needed to."
Like Lincicome, Lewis had no problem with the soaring temperatures.
"I really don't mind the heat at all," she said. "I grew up in Texas in the summers so I'm used to playing golf when it's over 100 degrees. I say bring it on because the ball goes a mile."
Twice champion Karrie Webb of Australia opened with a 69 while Taiwan's world number one Yani Tseng launched her title defense at Mission Hills with a 70.
However several of the other big names did not fare as well in the opening round.
Korean world number two Shin Ji-yai and American Paula Creamer returned 73s, Norway's Suzann Pettersen shot a 75 and third-ranked American Cristie Kerr limped her way to a 78. (Editing by Frank Pingue/Greg Stutchbury)
Post je objavljen 01.04.2011. u 05:14 sati.