Brittany Lincicome holds 1-shot lead
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The Associated Press - Published: April 3, 2009
RANCHO MIRAGE, Calif. — Brittany Lincicome never saw a 66 coming in the first round of the Kraft Nabisco Championship.
Likewise, defending champion Lorena Ochoa wasn't expecting to open with a 73 when she headed out onto the same desert course where she was 11 strokes better three years ago.
Lincicome held a one-stroke lead in the first LPGA Tour major of the year Thursday with her 6-under 66 at Mission Hills.
Pushed along by playing partner Ji Young Oh in a round she likened to match play, Lincicome hit 16 greens in regulation. Oh hit 14 greens and was tied for second at 67 with Angela Stanford and Brittany Lang.
Lincicome's best finish in a major was a tie for second here two years ago.
Ochoa struggled with her driver. The top-ranked Mexican star started on the 10th tee and was 2 under at the turn before carding three bogeys and no birdies on the front nine. Three years ago, Ochoa opened with a 62 at Mission Hills to tie an LPGA major championship record.
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