Pettersen takes early lead at Kapalua (AP)
By JAYMES SONG, AP Sports Writer 25 minutes ago
KAPALUA, Hawaii - Suzann Pettersen birdied the final two holes for a 4-under 68 to take the early first-round lead Thursday in the inaugural Kapalua LPGA Classic.
Top-ranked Lorena Ochoa, seeking her eighth victory of the season, was even through seven holes. She was in an afternoon group with No. 2 Annika Sorenstam, who was 3 over after a double bogey on No. 4.
Brittany Lang birdied her final hole to open with a 69, and Australian Anna Rawson, Kristy McPherson and South Korea's Ji Young Oh were tied at 70.
After a relatively calm morning, Maui's tradewinds picked up later in the day and kept the players from attacking the Bay Course.
The 27-year-old Pettersen is seeking her first LPGA Tour victory of the year after a breakout season in 2007 when she won five times, including the LPGA Championship.
This year, the Norwegian star has seven top-10 finishes in 19 starts, including a runner-up finish at the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Despite the wind, Pettersen made a move at the end and birdied three of her final four holes.
She started the day on No. 10 and made the turn with two birdies. Pettersen hit a wedge to 10 feet for birdie on No. 1 to move to 3 under.
Pettersen three putted from 20 feet for bogey on the par-4 fourth and added another bogey three holes later on the par-4 seventh when her second shot landed in the bunker.
The group at 71 included Pat Hurst, Cristie Kerr and Hee-Won Han.