Moodie leads 14-year-old in LPGA event

PRATTVILLE, Ala., Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Janice Moodie took the lead at the Navistar LPGA Classic Thursday by one shot over 14-year-old amateur sensation Alexis Thompson.

Michelle Wie, who will turn 20 next month, was two shots off the lead, tied with world No. 1 Lorena Ochoa.

The unlikely first-round leaderboard set up what could be one of the year's most significant events on the LPGA Tour.

Thompson has been touted as a future superstar in the sport and was in contention midway through the U.S. Women's Open this year. Wie is nearing the end of her rookie season on the LPGA Tour and is still looking for her first victory.

A victory by either of the young Americans could be a major boost to a circuit that has suffered significant sponsorship losses during the past year.

Moodie played late in the day and overcame Thompson by firing an 8-under 64. She shot a 30 on the front nine of the Senator Course of the Capitol Hill Golf Club. Moodie is seeking her third LPGA Tour victory and her first in seven years.

Thompson, who won the 2008 U.S. Girls' Junior Championship, suffered one bogey in a round of 65.

"Everything was working for me," Thompson said. "My ball striking was good. My driver was a little off, but I'm not going to complain. I rolled my putter really good too."

Wie and Ochoa were at 66, followed by a large group at 67 that included Pat Hurst.