Park leads at Safeway Classic

Aug 23, 2008 - 10:45 AM PORTLAND, Oregon (Ticker) -- Angela Park owns a one-shot lead entering Saturday's second round of the $1.7 million Safeway Classic.

Park carded a 6-under-par 66 in the first round of the $1.7 million event at Columbia Edgewater Country Club on Friday.

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

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.

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

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.