Ko shoots 63 to capture first-round lead

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SOUTH Korean-born 15-year-old Lydia Ko shot a 10-under 63 yesterday to take the first-round lead in the LPGA Tour's season-opening Women's Australian Open in Canberra.

The New Zealand-based amateur won the New Zealand Women's Open last Sunday for her third victory in a professional tournament. Last year, Ko won the New South Wales Open in Australia to become the youngest player to win a pro tour event and the Canadian Open to become the youngest LPGA Tour winner. She also won the US Women's Amateur.

Colombia's Mariajo Uribe was a stroke back while South Korea's Jiyai Shin was two behind after a 65. Canada's Rebecca Lee-Bentham, Ayako Uehara of Japan and South Korea's Lee Mi-hyang shot 66 to be tied for fourth.

Ko opened with a bogey on the 10th hole, birdied the next four holes and eagled the par-5 15th. She bogeyed the 16th and birdied Nos. 17-18 to make the turn at 6-under 30 at Royal Canberra. Ko added birdies on Nos. 2-4, 6 and 9. She had 11 birdies.

"I was in a really good group to start off with," said Ko, grouped with top-ranked Yani Tseng and Michelle Wie for the first two rounds. "I was pretty nervous when I saw the draw that I was playing with two of the big names."

Tseng opened with a 68.

"I played very solid," Tseng said. "I didn't putt as good, but I'm pretty happy I shot 5 under for first round of the year."

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