Sweden's Annika Sorenstam chipped in for birdie at the final hole to pull into an eight-way tie for the lead after one round of the one million-dollar Lorena Ochoa Invitational.

Sorenstam, seeking her fourth LPGA Tour victory of the season, and her first since announcing she will retire from competition at the end of 2008, had fallen back with bogeys at 14 and 16 on the Guadalajara Country Club course before rebounding at the last to complete a four-under 68.

"It was a nice chip and it's always great to finish with a birdie," Sorenstam said. "I would say overall I played very well and hit a lot of good shots.

"I'm very pleased with my game, and worked with my instructor for a little bit before I got here, and we worked on my chipping, so I would say it paid off."

Sorenstam's last victory was at the Michelob ULTRA Open in May. Since then her best finish was a third-place at the LPGA Championship in June.

She was joined in the lead by Taiwanese rookie Yani Tseng, winner of the PGA Championship this year, Americans Angela Stanford, Brittany Lang and Nicole Castrale, British veteran Karen Stupples and South Koreans Hee-Won Han and Seon Hwa Lee.

Both Castrale and Han nabbed four birdies without a bogey.

Stupples's round was highlighted by an eagle at the par-four 14th, where she holed out from 70 yards with a wedge.

She also had four birdies and two bogeys, and said she could have gone lower if she had made a few more putts.

"I was very happy with how I played today. I hit some very good quality shots and, in fact, left quite a few out there," said Stupples, who broke the middle toe on her right foot on Wednesday morning "in a panic to get to the coffee."

"It hurts a little bit, but nothing that I can't play with," Stupples said. "In fact, it probably has helped me some, because it helps me keep my heel down longer through my swing, which is always something my coach is telling me to do."

The eight co-leaders were one shot in front of Sweden's Sophie Gustafson and a trio of South Koreans: Jee Young Lee, Meena Lee and Na Yeon Choi.

Tournament host Ochoa endured a difficult day.

Although she grew up playing on this course, the world number one bogeyed the fourth and sixth holes and finished the day tied for 24th in the 36-woman field with a one-over 73.

Ochoa, who has won seven titles in 2008, has already sealed Player of the Year honors and was the star attraction in her native Guadalajara.

Ochoa said she felt relaxed playing in front of her home fans, but admitted to an extra level of emotion.

"Well, it wasn't the best of start, it was tough with all of the emotions and adrenaline," she said. "I was one-over right away, and then I made another bogey on the par three, so I made the turn at 2 over.

"But I was very happy with my birdie on the last hole, and we still have three days to go. So I have to be positive and just try to enjoy every day and play better the next three rounds."

The event is the final tune-up for players competing in the season-ending ADT Championship.

AFP

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