American Juli Inkster fired a bogey-free five-under 67 Thursday for a share of the first-round lead with last year’s runner-up Suzann Pettersen at the $1 million Lorena Ochoa Invitational. Inkster, 51, is seeking to become the oldest winner in LPGA Tour history. Beth Daniel was 46 when she won the Canadian Women’s Open eight years ago. South Korea’s Meena Lee shot a first round four-under 68, and Scotland’s Catriona Matthew was another stroke back in the 36-player field at Guadalajara Country Club. American Michelle Wie was three strokes back at 70.
Wie won this event in 2009. She was tied in a group that also includes Se Ri Pak, Maria Hjorth, Paula Creamer, Cristie Kerr and Sophie Gustafson. Inkster’s last victory on the LPGA Tour was at the 2006 Safeway International and the last time she converted a first round lead into a win was the 2003 Evian Ladies Masters. She has 31 career LPGA wins. “I just put the ball on the fairway and made a couple putts,” said Inkster. “I didn’t have any bogeys, so it was nice.” World No. 2 Pettersen already has two LPGA Tour victories this year.
