CHONBURI, Thailand, Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Hong Jin-hoo shot a 6-under-par 66 Thursday and has a 2-stroke lead after the first round of the $1.45 million Honda LPGA Thailand.
Hong had birdies on three of her first four holes in finishing with a first-round lead for the first time in her career. Angela Stanford, who won the LPGA's first tournament of the year, is tied for second at 4-under 68. Helen Alfredsson, Paula Creamer, Brittany Lang and Kristy McPherson are tied with Stanford.
Hong had birdies on the first two holes but bogied No. 3 before posting another birdie at the fourth hole. She gave another stroke back at the seventh hole and made the turn at 1-under.
She had an eagle at the par-5 11th hole and had three more birdies in a 4-hole span from Nos. 13-16 to move into the lead.
Stanford, who has finished in the top six in her last seven tournaments, had an erratic round with three bogies, including on back-to-back holes, offset by five birdies and an eagle at the 11th hole.
