Brewerton shares Evian Masters lead

EVIAN, France, July 23 (UPI) -- Becky Brewerton, the last player to gain entry into the event, shot a 5-under 67 Thursday to share the lead after one round of the Evian Masters in France.

Brewerton was not eligible to be a part of the elite 90-player field until she won the Women's Spanish Open last week.

She birdied five holes in a six-hole stretch beginning at the fifth and moved into a first-place tie with In-Kyung Kim and Na Yeon Choi.

Kim, a two-time winner on the LPGA Tour, holed her second shot at the par-4 11th from 118 yards for an eagle to highlight her round. Choi was runner-up here last year, losing in a three-hole playoff to Helen Alfredsson.

The three co-leaders had a one-shot advantage over Wendy Ward, Karine Icher, Karen Stupples and Ji Young Oh. Karrie Webb was among those who shot a 69 in the opening round and LPGA Championship winner Anna Nordqvist was part of the group at 70.

Alfredsson also shot a 70, as did Cristie Kerr and Paula Creamer. Newly crowned U.S. Women's Open champion Eun-Hee Ji shot a 73 and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa continued to struggle with a 75.

Ochoa finished in front of only three players after the first round.