Azahara Munoz shot a 7-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-stroke
lead over Katherine Hull and Jee Young Lee in the Bell Micro LPGA
Classic, the LPGA Tour's first event since Erica Blasberg was found
dead.
Munoz, the former Spanish amateur star had a bogey-free round
on The Crossings course at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail's
Magnolia Grove complex.
Blasberg died Sunday in suburban Las Vegas and her agent said
she had been all set to attempt to qualify for the field at
Magnolia Grove. Police have not said if they suspect foul play. The
coroner said a ruling on a cause of death was pending blood and
tissue tests that could take four to six weeks to complete.
Cristie Kerr, Meena Lee, Janice Moodie and Hye Jung Choi shot
67s, and Suzann Pettersen, Eunjung Yi, Sun Young Yoo and Amanda
Blumenherst opened with 68s.
Jiyai Shin, No. 1 in the world ranking following Lorena
Ochoa's retirement two weeks ago after the Tres Marias Championship
in Mexico, had a 70.
Japanese star Ai Miyazato, whoseTres Marias win was her third
victory in the fseason's first five events, also opened with a 70.
Michelle Wie shot a 72.
The tournament was not played in 2009 because of course
renovation work. In September 2008 at Magnolia Grove, Angela
Stanford beat Shanshan Feng by a stroke.
Stanford shot a 70 on Thursday.
