P - Karrie Webb has found some timely form, shooting a five-under-par 67 in the opening round of the LPGA Tour's Kia Classic in Carlsbad, California.
Preparing for the year's first major championship, Webb is tied third with teenage world No.1 Lydia Ko, Cristie Kerr and Lin Xiyu, two shots behind leader Mirim Lee of South Korea.
"I think it's a course you've got to be pretty patient on," said 40-year-old Webb.
The former world No.1 will be seeking an eighth major title at the ANA Inspiration in Rancho Mirage next week but it's been nine years since she won her last one at the same event.
Lee birdied all four par-5 holes and finished with a bogey-free 65 to lead by one from ex world No.1 Yani Tseng.
The 24-year-old South Korean player won LPGA Tour events last year in Michigan and China.
Tseng is winless in 70 starts since her victory in the 2012 event at nearby La Costa.
Top ranked Ko has 10 straight top-10 finishes, including her Women's Australian Open and New Zealand Women's titles, and has broken par in her last 25 LPGA Tour rounds and 28 worldwide.
"It's not easy," Ko said. "I'm trying to take one round at a time, one shot at a time, and that kind of breaks it up. a little bit. It's tough.
"Playing weeks back to back and all courses just being different, I think that's the hard thing, but I'm just trying to keep focused.
"It's always good to know that you're playing well. You can be confident."
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