Rawson leads CN Canadian Women's Open

CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- Anna Rawson played the best round of her professional career Thursday and took a one-shot lead after 18 holes of the CN Canadian Women's Open.

Rawson, in her second year on the LPGA Tour, has not come close to a victory. She has only one finish in the top 50 this year.

Despite her spotty record, she birdied half the holes on the Priddis Greens Golf & Country Club course and turned in a 7-under 64. Her previous low round on the tour had been a final-round 65 at this year's State Farm Classic, where she finished tied for 13th.

Suzann Pettersen opened the tournament with a 65 and world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa was tied for third with Amanda Blumenherst at 66.

After winning seven times in 2008, Ochoa has just two victories to her credit this season.

Those at 67 included Louise Stahle, Il Mi Chung, Momoko Ueda and Joo Mi Kim.

M.J. Hur, who won her first tour title last week, was in the large group at 68. Michelle Wie stumbled to a 76 and was tied for 125th place.