Pettersen, Lee share first-round lead in Manulife

Suzann Pettersen of Norway and Mi Hyang Lee of South Korea were tied for the lead Thursday after the first round of the Manulife LPGA Classic in Cambridge, Ontario.

Pettersen, whose last Tour victory came in this event in 2015, and Lee shot 8-under 64s at Whistle Bear Golf Club.

Pettersen birdied six holes on the front nine and nine overall with one bogey while Lee eagled the par-5 third hole and birdied six others while needing only 26 putts.

“I hit it so solid today,” Lee said. “I think I had good start (on) No. 2 and then No. 3 I made eagle, so I had a lot of confidence from those two holes.”

Pettersen played well despite losing her yardage book prior to the event.

“I had to get all my new notes, which is kind of a big deal because I have a lot of good notes from the past,” Pettersen said. “Had to start from scratch.”

Shanshan Feng of China, Belgium’s Laura Gonzalez Escallon and Hyo Joo Kim of South Korea were at 7-under 65 while Emily K. Pedersen of Denmark, Canada’s Alena Sharp and Jodi Ewart Shadoff of England shot 6-under 66s.

World No. 4 Lexi Thompson was in a group of six players at 5-under 67 after recording five birdies on the front but a double bogey at No. 10 began an even-par 36 on the back. World No. 2 Ariya Jutanugarn also shot 67.