PHOENIX, March 20 (UPI) -- Annika Sorenstam enjoyed a solid start to her season Thursday but was still looking up at the other two members of the former "Big Three" after the first round of the Safeyway PING.
After skipping the season-opening event in Tucson, Sorenstam had six birdies and a bogey en route to a 5-under-par 67 at Moon Valley Country Club. On this course two years ago, she became the first LPGA Tour member to break 60 in a round.
Sorenstam was two strokes off the pace set by Korea's Se Ri Pak, whose 7-under 65 included eight birdies and a bogey. Karrie Webb of Australia played bogey-free until the 18th hole and settled for a 66.
At the start of last season, Pak and Webb joined Sorenstam as part of the LPGA's unofficial "Big Three," but Sorenstam separated herself, winning 11 times last year alone.
Grace Park of Korea, Kelli Kuehne, Dorothy Delasin and Patricia Meunier-Lebouc of France matched Sorenstam's 67. Nine others were three strokes off Pak's pace.
