Kerr, Lewis, Lee lead at LPGA Championship

PITTSFORD, N.Y., June 24 (UPI) -- Cristie Kerr, who won the 13th title of her career earlier this month, grabbed a share of the lead Thursday after one round of the LPGA Championship.

Kerr shot a 4-under 68 at the Locust Hill Country Club course in the second major championship of the season to tie Stacy Lewis and Seon Hwa Lee for the top spot.

Lindsey Wright, Inbee Park and Mika Miyazato were all one shot back. Christina Kim was part of the group at 70. Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster were among those at 71.

Inkster, playing on her 50th birthday, shared the lead early in her round but suffered four late bogeys.

"I'm kind of disappointed in finishing the way I finished," Inkster said, "but I hit a couple of bad drives that got me in trouble."

Inkster won this event in 1999 and 2000.

Kerr, ranked fifth in the world, was the only Top 10 player in the rankings to break par. New world No. 1 Ai Miyazato, a winner four times on the LPGA Tour this year, struggled to a 76 and was tied for 97th.

Defending champion Anna Nordqvist, who has climbed in the rankings from No. 214 to sixth over the past year, shot a 73 Thursday.