Icher, Phatlum share Brazil Open lead

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 5 (UPI) -- Karine Icher and Pornanong Phatlum each carded rounds of 7-under 66 Saturday, sharing the first-round lead of the Brazil Cup, an unofficial LPGA Tour event.

Icher got hot on the back nine, birdying three of the first four holes around the stretch to join Phatlum in first place after 18 holes of the two-round event at Itanhanga Golf Club.

The first-place duo were one shot ahead of Katie Futcher, who claimed sole possession of third place at 6-under 67.

She was followed by world No. 3 Suzann Pettersen, Brittany Lang and Candie Kung -- each of whom tied for fourth at 5-under 68.