SPRINGFIELD, Ill., June 10 (UPI) -- Shanshan Feng, looking for her first victory on the LPGA Tour, shot an 8-under 64 Thursday and led by one after the opening round of the State Farm Classic.
Juli Inkster recovered from an early double bogey at the Panther Creek Country Club to share second place at 65 with No Yeon Choi.
Anna Nordqvist, winner of last year's LPGA Championship, headed a group at 66 while Cristie Kerr and Sophie Gustafson both shot a 67. Michelle Wie posted a 69.
The tournament lost the world's top-ranked player Wednesday when Jiyai Shin underwent an emergency appendectomy. Her absence provides Yani Tseng a chance to move past Shin into the No. 1 spot in the world rankings this week. Tseng shot a 68 Thursday.
Feng has one runner-up finish in her three-year career and has been among the top 10 twice in five starts this season. She birdied three straight holes beginning at the second to get her round started.
"I had a bogey-free round," Feng said. "It's the only one this year so far, so I'm really happy about it."
