Park one shot ahead of six others at Safeway Classic

Aug 23, 2008 - 2:08 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Angela Park is alone at the top of the leaderboard after shooting a 6-under-par 66 in the first round of the $1.7 million Safeway Classic at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on Friday.

Park, who is in search of her first career LPGA title in her second year on tour, had six birdies in a bogey-free round that put her a shot ahead of six other players.

"I'm eager to get my first win, but just because of eagerness doesn't mean my win is not going to come" Park said. "So I try to play just one game at a time, one hole at a time. So, you know, when it's my time, it will happen.

Helen Alfredsson and Sophie Gustafson each had five birdies without a bogey en route to 67s. Kelli Kuehne, Hee Young Park, Karen Stupples and Song-Hee Kim also found themselves at 5-under.

Kuehne stood at 3-over after three holes but rallied with eight birdies to put herself just one shot behind Angela Park.

"I got off to a rocky start," Kuehne said. "After doubling the first hole and bogeying the second hole, my caddie Nick just said, 'Let's regroup.' Then I started driving some good shots. The course is perfect as usual, so I had some opportunities and was able to make some shots."

Lorena Ochoa birdied four of her last five holes en route to a 3-under 69 in the first round.

"For some reason, it took me a while to start," Ochoa said. "I didn't start out making birdies today, but I finished strong. It gives me motivation for the rest of the week."

The defending champion, Ochoa finished at 12-under 204 for a five-stroke victory last year. She entered the final round with a one-stroke lead but pulled away for her third consecutive win.

This season has been more of the same for Ochoa, the world's top-ranked player, but she is in a but of a slump, if you can call it that.

Ochoa has posted an LPGA Tour-leading six wins this season, but her last came in May at the Sybase Classic. Ochoa still tops the money list with just over $2.3 million and has 13 top-10 finishes in 15 starts.

She is coming off a tie for fourth last week at the Canadian Women's Open, where she also was the defending champion.

This year's Canadian Women's Open champion, Katherine Hull, followed last week's breakthrough victory with a 1-under 71. After posting an even-par 36 on the front nine, she had four birdies and three bogeys after the turn.

Hull closed last week with a 69 to hold off Se Ri Pak by one stroke and keep Ochoa from repeating. It was Hull's first career title and has boosted her confidence heading into this week.

Several other notable players stand within striking distance after one round. Paula Creamer (69), Suzann Pettersen (69), Inbee Park (70) and Annika Sorenstam (72) are among those also in contention.

First prize is $255,000.