Pettersen's hot LPGA play continues

CHONBURIM, Thailand, Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Suzann Pettersen, a winner in two of her last three tournaments, posted a seven-under-par 65 Thursday for the first-round lead at the Honda LPGA Thailand.

Pettersen was declared the winner last week when high winds forced the cancellation of the final round of the tournament in South Korea but showed in Thailand the win was no fluke. She had nine birdies on the round.

Alena Sharp is alone in second place at five-under-par 67, followed by Angela Park and Katherine Hull, who are tied for third place at minus-four. Defending champion Han Hee-won is among five golfers tied in fifth place at three-under-par 69.

Pettersen cashed in sharp iron play with birdies on the first three holes where none of her putts were more than 4 feet. After a pair of pars she ran off another string of three consecutive birdies to get to six-under after eight holes.

She added birdies at Nos. 10 and 11 but gave back strokes with three putts at 13 and 16. A birdie at 18 left Pettersen at seven-under.